Sir John Herschel

1867

Julia Margaret Cameron English, 1815 - 1879

Not On View

Sir John Herschel: 1 of Collection Gallery

Sir John Herschel: 2 of Collection Gallery

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About the Artwork

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Markings

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Provenance

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Exhibition History

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Published References

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Catalogue Raisonné

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Credit Line for Reproduction

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About the Artwork

It was from Sir John Herschel that Cameron received word of the invention of photography in 1839, but she did not own a camera until 1863. Principally known as an astronomer but also accomplished as a chemist and physicist, Herschel is credited with several contributions to the development of photography during its early years. Cameron’s portrayals of Herschel, considered among her finest work, exemplify qualities of style considered revolutionary for their day. The intense close-up pose, evocative lighting, dramatic focus, and absence of extraneous details combine to present images intended to serve as windows into the sitter’s soul. Among the ranks of early photographers, few women received the professional acknowledgment granted to Cameron.

Title Sir John Herschel

Artwork Date 1867

Artist Julia Margaret Cameron

Life Dates 1815 - 1879

Nationality Please note: Definitions for nationality may vary significantly, depending on chronology and world events. Some definitions include: Belonging to a people having a common origin based on a geography and/or descent and/or tradition and/or culture and/or religion and/or language, or sharing membership in a legally defined nation. English

Culture Please note: Cultures may be defined by the language, customs, religious beliefs, social norms, and material traits of a group. Unknown

Medium Albumen print

Dimensions Image: 13 3/4 × 10 1/4 inches (34.9 × 26 cm) Mount: 21 × 17 1/2 inches (53.3 × 44.5 cm)

Classification Photographs

Department Prints, Drawings & Photographs

Credit Founders Society Purchase, Miscellaneous Gifts Fund

Accession Number This unique number is assigned to an individual artwork as part of the cataloguing process at the time of entry into the permanent collection. Most frequently, accession numbers begin with the year in which the artwork entered the museum’s holdings. For example, 2008.3 refers to the year of acquisition and notes that it was the 3rd of that year. The DIA has a few additional systems—no longer assigned—that identify specific donors or museum patronage groups. 73.37

Markings

Signed Signed on mount, in pen and brown ink, lower right: Julia Margaret Cameron

Inscriptions Inscribed on mount, in pen and brown ink, lower center: From life taken [illegible word] John Herschel's own residence Collingwood April 1867. On mount, in pen and brown ink and pen and black ink, bottom center: With affectionate regards and best wishes | from | J.F.W. Herschel | Nov. 18, 1870

Marks Drystamp, on mount, bottom center: REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPH | SOLD BY | MESSRS COLNAGHI | 14 PALL MALL EAST | LONDON

Provenance

The Halsted Gallery (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA)

1973-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

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Exhibition History

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Published References

Becker, William. "The First Portraitist Julia Margaret Cameron." Camera 35 24, 10 (October 1979): 18, 80, p. 23 (ill.).

DeGrace, Margaret. "This Month's Cover, Sir John Herschel." DAC News (March 1982): 8, cover (ill.).

Rodgers, Malcolm. Camera Portraits: Photographs from the National Portrait Gallery 1839-1989. London, 1989, p. 83 (ill.).

Symmes, M.F. "Portraits and Their Makers." Michigan Quarterly Review 21, no. 4 (Fall 1982): 579- 588, pl. 1 (ill.).

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

Julia Margaret Cameron, Sir John Herschel, 1867, albumen print. Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase, Miscellaneous Gifts Fund, 73.37.