The Metropolitan Museum of Art
New-York, US

probably 1835

Through the diamond-paned oriel window of Talbot's residence, we are granted a glimpse of a mysterious view captured in one of the earliest photographs known to humankind. This remarkable artifact stands as a testament to the inventor's pioneering endeavors in the realm of photography, exploring the creation of images solely through the interplay of light and chemical reactions.

To produce this photograph, Talbot ingeniously brushed a piece of writing paper with a combination of salt and silver nitrate. He carefully positioned this treated paper within a small wooden camera, strategically placed on a mantel directly opposite the window. The exposure process was a patient one, potentially lasting hours, as the image formation relied solely on the gradual interaction of light with the chemicals on the paper.

The resulting image, now a historical relic, is tonally reversed—a negative, although the term had not yet been coined at the time of its creation. As the paper darkened, it faithfully recorded the brightest areas of the scene, namely the light pouring in through the windows. Talbot's pioneering efforts in this early photograph showcased the incredible potential of photography, setting the stage for the revolutionary advancements that would follow in the world of visual art and documentation.