St Andrews 1842
About this artwork
This small picture may be the result of the photography lessons that John Adamson was giving to his younger brother, Robert, using particular spots in the town of St Andrews. After a long struggle with the difficult chemistry of the calotype process, Dr John Adamson took his first successful portrait calotype in May 1842 and continued to develop this technique until he could obtain clear and strong images. The success of this photograph is in itself a remarkable technical achievement.
Updated before 2020
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artists:
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title:St Andrews 1842
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date created:1842
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materials:Salted paper print
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measurements:8.40 x 10.00 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Given by Mrs Elizabeth Uldall 1998
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accession number:PGP HA 546
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gallery:
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subject:
John Adamson
John Adamson
John Adamson was one of the pioneering photographic chemists in Scotland. He was born in Burnside, Fife, and studied medicine in St Andrews and Edinburgh. While developing his practice, he taught Chemistry and Natural Science at Madras College school (1837-40) and became interested in photography....