Rediscovering Ducos du Hauron's Color Photography through a Review of His Three‐Color Printing Processes and Synchrotron Microanalysis of His Prints. Issue 25 (20th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cotte, Marine; Fabris, Tiphaine; Langlois, Juliette; Bellot‐Gurlet, Ludovic; Ploye, Françoise; Coural, Natalie; Boust, Clotilde; Gandolfo, Jean‐Paul; Galifot, Thomas; Susini, Jean
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 57:Issue 25(2018)
• Page Start: 7364
• Page End: 7368
• Publication Date: 2018-03-20
• Subjects: color photography -- history of science -- microanalysis -- synchrotron radiation -- trichrome carbon prints; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201712617
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Louis Ducos du Huron (1837–1920) dedicated his entire life to the elaboration of physical–chemical processes for color photography. This study aimed at highlighting his unique contribution to three‐color printing through 1) an in‐depth review of the many protocols he published and 2) the synchrotron‐based IR and X‐ray microanalysis of fragments sampled in three artworks. Ducos du Hauron's method relied on the preparation and assembly of three monochromes (red, blue, yellow). This study brings to light complex multistep recipes based on photochemistry (carbon print), organic, and inorganic chemistry. The various ingredients involved (e.g., pigments, dichromate gelatin, collodion, resin) were identified and localized through their spectroscopic signature, confirming the relevance of synchrotron spectromicroscopy for the characterization of historical photographs. The impressive correlation between texts and chemical analyses calls for a wider application to the history of photography. Abstract : From obscurity to light : A review of 19th century processes published by the Ducos du Hauron brothers on trichrome printing in combination with synchrotron‐based microanalysis of fragments from three early artifacts of Louis Ducos du Hauron highlights complex multistep processes and multilayered compositions, with clear historical evolutions and chemical signatures.