The Moon thumbnail 1
The Moon thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case TOASTRACK

The Moon

Photograph
ca. 1858 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Warren De La Rue was among the earliest astronomer-photographers and worked at Kew Observatory. The attraction between astronomy and photography was natural, since both are concerned with the reflectance or absorption of light upon surfaces. Each image of this stereo pair consists of the full moon in its entirety. De La Rue took them at different geographical locations and different times of year. When seen together through a stereo viewer, the two images give an illusion of depth. Even when not seen in a stereo viewer the format of the glass transparency emphasises the luminosity of the moon.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Moon (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Stereograph glass positive
Brief description
Stereoscopic photograph of the moon by Warren De La Rue. Great Britain, ca. 1858.
Physical description
Two glass stereoscopic photographs of the moon, black and white transparency, mounted on one red mount. Lettered with title, artist's name and publishing details.
Dimensions
  • Size of each image height: 5.7cm
  • Length: 5.7cm
  • Whole plate height: 84mm
  • Whole plate width: 173mm
  • Plate depth: 3mm
Dimensions taken from departmental notes
Marks and inscriptions
  • Enlarged and published by Smith, Beck & Beck, London (Front of mount)
  • Lunar phootgraphs of Warren de la Rue F.R.S - Sec RAS
Subjects depicted
Summary
Warren De La Rue was among the earliest astronomer-photographers and worked at Kew Observatory. The attraction between astronomy and photography was natural, since both are concerned with the reflectance or absorption of light upon surfaces. Each image of this stereo pair consists of the full moon in its entirety. De La Rue took them at different geographical locations and different times of year. When seen together through a stereo viewer, the two images give an illusion of depth. Even when not seen in a stereo viewer the format of the glass transparency emphasises the luminosity of the moon.
Collection
Accession number
E.131-1993

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Record createdFebruary 5, 2004
Record URL
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