Remains of the Temple of Minerva on the Acropolis, Philibert Jos. Girault de Prangey, 1842

silver (metal), h 240mm × w 95mm More details

Taking a photograph, such as this one, on a silvered copper plate was a complicated and laborious process. Nevertheless, the painter, draughtsman, and archaeologist Girault de Prangey was not to be dissuaded. He set out, equipment and all, only three years after the invention of photography. Armed with a camera, lenses, plates, a mercury developing box, and chemicals, he travelled throughout Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Syria. He came back with no less than 1000 daguerreotypes.