The First Photograph"View From the Window At Le Gras," is the first ever true photograph made by exposing a chemical coated pewter plate in France in 1826. The first photo was taken by:
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce,
who was born in 1765 and died in 1833 at the age of 68, without being credited for being the world's first successful photographer. Though he formed a partnership with Daguerre, the invention of the daguerreotype, eclipsed what Niepce had called his heliograph.It is on display in the permanent collection at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas.
I have had the privilege of seeing this priceless treasure, myself, some years ago in Austin. It took my breath away because I am an amateur photographer myself, and understand the significance of such a rarity.
We almost did not get to see this gem because it was actually lost during the period of 1898 to 1952. After a long search, it was found and authenticated by Helmut Gernsheim, who eventually donated it in 1963, along with his entire collection, to the University in Austin.
Visit the website linked above. It has a wealth of fascinating information about Niepce, pictures of he and Gernsheim, the original photograph in its original gold frame, and the original provenience that goes with it. Entire pages tell about the hunt for the lost work, and about the amazing generosity that enabled UT to own the treasure. The last heir who owned the work donated it to Gernsheim, who in turn donated it to the Austin-based University's vast photography collection.
My topical post today at South by Southwest and The Reaction is about politics.
My new blog is called "Behind the Links."
Technorati tags: photography antiques
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8 comments:
it scares me that this is in texas. can't we put it somewhere safe? :) you always come up with the coolest things and i had never heard of this- much less got to see it in any form. so thank you.
betmo, my friend -- Thanks for your warm compliment. I sometimes have trouble posting here as often as I would like, for lack of a creative idea.
Texas is not a universally unsafe place. I am living proof at the age of 71, I have lived all my adult life here.
I have seen the UT Austin display and it seems quite secure, though I am no expert.
It makes me sad that the state has associations with a lack of safety, though I can understand how those came about.
Namaste :-)
I agree with Betmo (that you come up with the coolest things, not that Texas is an unsafe or unlikely place for this treasure).
I really enjoyed reading this.
Judi
Judi, thanks for your kind words. The Harry Ransom Museum in Austin is just wonderful if you ever get a chance to tour it. It is on campus. Peace.
A few years ago, I went to Texas, the Austin area, to meet a bunch of friends I met on line. I hauled down motorcycles and we rode the hill country south and west of Austin. Yes, bikers, but they welcomed the liberals from up north in Austin.
As far as the photograph goes, seems very interesting, especially for those with an interest in photography, its origins and evolution.
Not to cut short any of the hard work to find and keep this treasure, but paintings, photographs of the mind, were the first true photos. Even stick figured petroglyphs drawn with soil pigments on the walls of caves were a photograph of sorts. Depicting what the minds eye was seeing and relating these experiences to others via a picture of what was happening.
In this spirit, what amazes me is not the photo itself, but the story about how, and especially why, some one or some people thought to do it, (photography), in the first place. Fascinating.
Peace.
I guess I must be a frustrated biker, Joe. Your trip thru the hill country sounds like fun.
You have inspired me to do a post about cave paintings, the oldest ones found in France. You are right about them being the "first" photos.
Hope you are feeling better, so that you can continue your pursuit of Quest. (Loved your post). It is good to "see" you.
Peace.
Just a note to tell you that your link to Reaction isn't working. First time visitor to a couple of your blog sites. Will be back.
Thanks for the broken link info, and thanks for stopping in.
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