The Dawn of Photography: French Daguerreotypes, 1839-1855
Friday, November 14, 6:00 PM
Fall 2003
Bruno Braquehais, 1823-1875, Reclining Female Nude
-seen from the back, ca. 1855-1856.
The Metropolitan Museum’s Curator of Photographs Malcolm Daniel will talk about this important exhibition of photography’s earliest moments, with special attention given to stereo daguerreotypes and the very rare examples included in this show. Mr. Daniel will share his thoughts on the artistic, technological and commercial influences that shaped the earliest practice of photography, including reference to the daguerreotypists who worked in London and may have been familiar with Wheatstone’s publications on stereoscopic drawing.
The slide-illustrated talk (non-stereoscopic) will include an overview of the daguerreotype process and the characteristics that distinguish it from other contemporary photographic techniques. Mr. Daniel will point out key pieces in the exhibition that represent landmarks in the history of photography, and answer questions from the audience. Following his talk, Stereoscopic Society members may view the exhibition on the museum’s second floor.
“The Dawn of Photography: French Daguerreotypes, 1839-1855” is on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art through January 4, 2004. For more information about the exhibition, see www.metmuseum.org
