The first scientific investigation of Niépce's images from UK and US collections: image layer and image formation. (1st November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stulik, D; Kaplan, A; Khanjian, H
• Is Part Of: Imaging science journal. Volume 61:Number 8(2013)
• Page Start: 602
• Page End: 628
• Publication Date: 2013-11-01
• Subjects: Imaging systems -- Periodicals; 621.36705
• DOI: 10.1179/1743131X12Y.0000000007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-2199

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>The article reports on the results of the first ever scientific investigation of all heliographic and heliogravure plates created by Joseph Nicephore Niépce in France that he brought with him in 1827 to England. In hopes of presenting his invention to the Royal Society of London and to the Royal court, he may have selected the best examples of his experiments that were able to demonstrate the entire range of applications of his photographic processes. The in-depth scientific investigation of four still surviving plates in the Royal Photographic Society collection of the National Media Museum in Bradford and the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin provided new insight into the material aspects of J.N. Niépce's experiments, new and sometimes surprising and unexpected information of the image structure and image formation. The microscopic and analytical investigation of the images in combination with a broad battery of supporting analyses, artificial ageing studies and process re-creations allowed us to correct many pieces of information previously obtained by interpreting J.N. Niépce's letters and documents. Our investigation also established, for the first time, a scientifically based conservation baseline for the long term monitoring of the state of preservation of these iconic plates and resulted in the development of new, inert, gas filled and sensor equipped enclosures for their long term display and storage.</p> </abstract>