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Lyndale, North Devon

Photograph
1852 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Benjamin Turner was one of the first, and remains one of the greatest, British amateur photographers. He began practising photography in 1849 according to the technique patented in 1841 by the British inventor W. H. Fox Talbot (1800-1877). Turner's photographs were 'contact' printed from paper negatives (known as calotypes) of the same size as the print. He printed them on albumen paper, which is paper that has been floated on an emulsion of egg white containing light-sensitive silver salts. Between 1852 and 1854 Turner compiled 60 of his own photographs, including this one, in what is believed to be a unique album, 'Photographic Views from Nature'. It might have been a sample book, a convenient method for presenting photographs for personal pleasure, and for showing to colleagues or potential exhibitors. It remained in the Turner family until it was bought by the Museum.

This is a view of the River Lyn near Lynmouth, a famously picturesque beauty spot. As in many photographs of the time, the long exposure has resulted in the flowing water appearing to be still, and almost solid.

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Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleLyndale, North Devon (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Albumen print from calotype negative
Brief description
19thC; Turner B B, Lyndale, North Devon
Physical description
Photograph
Dimensions
  • Height: 26.7cm
  • Width: 39.1cm
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
Benjamin Turner was one of the first, and remains one of the greatest, British amateur photographers. He began practising photography in 1849 according to the technique patented in 1841 by the British inventor W. H. Fox Talbot (1800-1877). Turner's photographs were 'contact' printed from paper negatives (known as calotypes) of the same size as the print. He printed them on albumen paper, which is paper that has been floated on an emulsion of egg white containing light-sensitive silver salts. Between 1852 and 1854 Turner compiled 60 of his own photographs, including this one, in what is believed to be a unique album, 'Photographic Views from Nature'. It might have been a sample book, a convenient method for presenting photographs for personal pleasure, and for showing to colleagues or potential exhibitors. It remained in the Turner family until it was bought by the Museum.

This is a view of the River Lyn near Lynmouth, a famously picturesque beauty spot. As in many photographs of the time, the long exposure has resulted in the flowing water appearing to be still, and almost solid.
Collection
Accession number
PH.4-1982

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Record createdFebruary 25, 2003
Record URL
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