The British Library has one of the world’s most comprehensive photographic collections comprising more than 350,000 items including fine examples of calotypes and daguerreotypes, x-ray images, prints and negatives.
Points of View – Capturing the 19th Century in Photographs
In the British Library’s first ever exhibition devoted to photography more than 250 rarely-seen images are on display. The show explores the early history of photography from its invention in 1839. It looks at the development of this art form as a gentleman’s hobby, and the growth of the popular amateur market in the 20th century. The display also examines the somewhat controversial spirit photography that was all the rage in the 19th century.
Points of View – Highlights of the Exhibition
An Oak Tree by William Henry Fox Talbot
The exhibition features equipment used by William Henry Fox Talbot who patented his calotype process in 1840. Unlimited prints could be produced from a paper negative and an example of an image produced by this method is An Oak Tree in Winter (calotype negative and salted paper print).