Venetian mirror circa 1700, from the collection of Mr. John Webb
Photograph
1853 (photographed)
1853 (photographed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Charles Thurston was the first official photographer employed by the South Kensington Museum. He was appointed in 1856 but photographed at the Museum in 1853. His subject here is a Venetian mirror lent to the Museum for an exhibition of 'Decorative Furniture' at Gore House, South Kensington. Such loan objects were photographed prior to their return to lenders so that photographic copies could be sold to designers, craftsmen and students, and also filed in the Museum's library for study. Thompson inadvertently included himself and his camera, reflected in the mirror. It gives us a vivid glimpse of a photographer at work outdoors - in the garden at Gore House - in the early days of the Museum and the profession of Museum Photography.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Venetian mirror circa 1700, from the collection of Mr. John Webb (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Albumen print from wet collodion-on-glass negative |
| Brief description | Photograph by Charles Thurston Thompson, 'Venetian mirror circa 1700, from the collection of Mr. John Webb', albumen print, 1853 |
| Physical description | Sepia photograph mounted on card showing an elaborate Venetian mirror placed against a white backdrop. A camera and photographer are reflected in the mirror with trees beyond |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Production type | Unlimited edition |
| Marks and inscriptions | DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND ART / LIBRARY [with a crown] (Stamp; English; On mount, top centre; blind-stamp) |
| Gallery label | Charles Thurston Thompson (1816–68)
Venetian Mirror, about 1700
Carved and Gilt Frame, Venetian,
date about 1690
Both 1853
Thurston Thompson was the first official
photographer of the South Kensington Museum
(the original name of the V&A). He documented
works that were on loan to the Museum, such as
this Venetian mirror. By recording his reflection
and that of his camera as well as the frame’s
intricate carvings, he revealed the process of
making images such as these.
Albumen prints
Museum nos. 39833, 32832(23/7/2016-5/3/2017) |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Charles Thurston was the first official photographer employed by the South Kensington Museum. He was appointed in 1856 but photographed at the Museum in 1853. His subject here is a Venetian mirror lent to the Museum for an exhibition of 'Decorative Furniture' at Gore House, South Kensington. Such loan objects were photographed prior to their return to lenders so that photographic copies could be sold to designers, craftsmen and students, and also filed in the Museum's library for study. Thompson inadvertently included himself and his camera, reflected in the mirror. It gives us a vivid glimpse of a photographer at work outdoors - in the garden at Gore House - in the early days of the Museum and the profession of Museum Photography. |
| Associated object | 32:638 (Version) |
| Bibliographic reference | Julius Bryant, ed. Art and Design for All. The Victoria and Albert Museum London: V&A Publishing, 2011. ISBN: 9781851776665. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 39833 |
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| Record created | February 11, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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