Leaves on a stem
Photograph
ca. 1839 (photographed)
ca. 1839 (photographed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Photogenic drawing of leaves on a stem; purple-red colour.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Leaves on a stem (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Paper negative, photogenic drawing.
Not available for issue to the public in the Prints and Drawings Study Room due to light sensitivity. Please contact the Photography Department via our enquiry service for further information. |
| Brief description | Photograph by William Henry Fox Talbot, 'Leaves on a stem', paper negative - photogenic drawing, ca. 1839 |
| Physical description | Photogenic drawing of leaves on a stem; purple-red colour. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Cameraless Photography
William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877)
Leaves on a stem
c. 1839
Photogenic drawing negative
17.8 x 11.2 cm
Museum no. RPS.59-2017 (RPS No. 025138 / Schaaf 1184)
Arranging a flattened plant on the surface of light-sensitized paper, Talbot placed these under a sheet of glass, usually in a wooden frame, and put it in the daylight for a period of around ten to thirty minutes. The emerging result was visible as a negative, with the plant shielding the paper underneath it while the surrounding areas were darkened by solar energy. However, the image would continue to darken as one viewed it under ordinary light. Almost immediately, Talbot discovered that washing the print in a strong salt solution fixed the image.
The Royal Photographic Society Collection at the V&A, acquired with the generous assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Art Fund |
| Credit line | The Royal Photographic Society Collection at the V&A, acquired with the generous assistance of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Art Fund. |
| Associated object | PROV.1594-2017 (RPS Group record) |
| Bibliographic reference | Schaaf, Larry John. The Photographic Art of William Henry Fox Talbot. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2000. ISBN 0691050007. |
| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | RPS.59-2017 |
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| Record created | March 23, 2017 |
| Record URL |
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