Double portrait of two women
Daguerreotype
1840s (made)
1840s (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The daguerreotype process was introduced to the public in 1839 by Frenchman Louis Daguerre, and was hugely popular as a medium for portraiture until the middle of the 1850s. To create a daguerreotype, a silver plated sheet was given a light sensitive surface coating of iodine vapour. After a long exposure in the camera, the image was developed over heated mercury and fixed in a common salt solution. The image lies on a mirror-like surface and is best seen from an angle to minimise reflections.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Double portrait of two women (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | daguereotype photography, hand-tinted, gilt mount, leather case, copper, glass |
Brief description | Daguerreotype photograph, double portrait of two women, hand-tinted, gilt mount and maker's case; Kilburn, William Edward, c.1840 |
Physical description | Daguerreotype, hand-tinted in gilt mount and makers case. Double portrait of two women, one seated holding a book, one standing. Column at left,painted sky backdrop. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | 'BY APPOINTMENT / MR. KILBURN / 234(?) REGENT STREET' (Impressed gold seal on front of case) |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | The daguerreotype process was introduced to the public in 1839 by Frenchman Louis Daguerre, and was hugely popular as a medium for portraiture until the middle of the 1850s. To create a daguerreotype, a silver plated sheet was given a light sensitive surface coating of iodine vapour. After a long exposure in the camera, the image was developed over heated mercury and fixed in a common salt solution. The image lies on a mirror-like surface and is best seen from an angle to minimise reflections. |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.1157-1992 |
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Record created | November 7, 2007 |
Record URL |
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