The Painted Photograph, 1839–1914: Origins, Techniques, Aspirations 1st Ed. Edition

by Heinz K. Henisch (Author), Bridget Ann Henisch (Author)

2 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0271015071

ISBN-10: 0271015071

Why is ISBN important?

Other Sellers

from

Other Sellers

See all 3 versions

More Buying Choices

1 New from $227.50 5 Used from $81.57

New & Used (6) from $81.57

See All Buying Options

As photography grew more popular following its invention in 1839, its admirers did not understand how a medium that rendered shapes and textures in exquisite detail could fail to render them in realistic color. Also disappointing was the tendency of the captured images to fade over time. Photographers, ever eager to please their public, began "painting" their photographs with substances ranging from water colors and oil to chalk and crayon. Images were enlarged, enhanced, and framed, to simulate the splendors of the traditional portrait.

With its rich variety of illustrations in color and duotone, The Painted Photograph is the first comprehensive history of overpainting, from its origins to World War I. The 131 illustrations featured draw upon original nineteenth- and early twentieth-century sources, most from America and Britain, but also representing Japan, Turkey, Austria, Germany, Poland, Canada, Bohemia, India, Australia, Norway, Holland, and Russia.

In describing a multitude of early techniques, the authors survey overpainting on various types of photographs, including daguerreotypes, tintypes, and imprinted porcelain, milk glass, enamel, magic lantern slides, and textiles. Particularly fascinating are discussions of overpainted death portraits, most commonly those of children, and the origins of popular "picture postcards" featuring overpainted landscape scenes. The Henisches address also the eager acceptance of the painted photograph throughout the world, despite the hostility of the art-critical establishment.

The Painted Photograph will appeal to a wide public interested in photography, history, sociology, social anthropology, folk art, popular fashion, and antiques.

Special offers and product promotions

Amazon Business: Make the most of your Amazon Business account with exclusive tools and savings. Login now

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1839, when Daguerre's backer, Fran ois Arago, announced Daguerre's invention to the Academie des Sciences, he quickly noted that the invention "produces drawings and not pictures in color." Faced with both the monochromy and the early medium's tendency to fade, it became popular to rouge a cheek, emphasize a line or, in more sophisticated hands, like those of the Canadian William Notman's studio, color whole crowd scenes. More than half of this book consists of verbatim quotations from various and idiosyncratic publications of the years in question. But so many embedded references jar the flow of reading--footnotes would have worked better. The authors also tend to be either rather snide about their sources (on the subject of the color gray, "Wall gives us only two brief insights, both strikingly profound: that it is `most nearly related to black,' and that it is `associated with shadow.' ") or emphasizing inconsequential points ("the editor... makes his views perfectly clear, adopting the royal We in the process.") Maybe the Henishes (The Photographic Experience, 1839--1914) are trying to be funny, but their humor is dubious; witness this passage on the "reliability" of pigments: "Nobody wrote to the editor to suggest a thin Mazda for the sky, a fine stipple of Honda for grass and a delicate dab of Toyota for a rose." The strong point of this volume is the photographs. Many of the 131 illustrations (92 in color) here are in private collections. Readers interested in Americana at its most intimate must thank the authors for their conscientious digging into the country's dusty attics and periodicals sections.

From Library Journal

Since the invention of photography in 1839, still images have been carefully colored or tinted utilizing a variety of techniques. This stunning example of social and cultural history traces the history of the painted photograph from daguerreotypes and tintypes to the advent of color photography. Distinguished photohistorians with an eye for detail, the Henischs write knowledgeably yet in an engaging style brightened with a touch of humor. Lavishly illustrated with 131 historical photographs, most of them striking portraits, this large-format book is beautifully designed and printed on heavy-coated stock. The result is absolutely gorgeous. Destined to become a definitive work in the history of photography, this book will be welcomed enthusiastically by scholars, yet the subject is presented in such a pleasant, engaging manner that the book may be expected to appeal to broad audiences as well. Highly recommended for all libraries.?Raymond Bial, Parkland Coll. Lib., Champaign, Ill.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penn State University Press; 1st Ed. edition (September 16, 1996)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 252 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0271015071
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0271015071
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.97 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.75 x 11 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,148,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #106 in Black & White Photography
- #181 in Painting (Books)
- #288 in Color Photography (Books)

Customer Reviews:
2 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload video

Customer reviews

5 star		100%
4 star 0% (0%)		0%
3 star 0% (0%)		0%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

How are ratings calculated?

Top review from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Jason Miller

Best book available on this (forgotten) subject.

Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2002

Very little information about the practice of painting (as opposed to tinting; there is a difference) photography has been available. This book covers incredible ground, pulling together material from advertisements, photography texts, archives and collections in order to present an overview of the climate, practice, and production of painted photography. Most other material extant focuses on individual artists who happened to overpaint their photographs, or of particular artworks which are photographs that have been painted on. Henisch shows the existence of a trend in early photography which seems to have been relegated to the sidelines as an analomy or as an isolated practice.
This is an incredible work, well - written, and evocative of Henisch's broad scope of scholarship.

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

Pages with related products. See and discover other items: porcelain painting

The Painted Photograph, 1839–1914: Origins, Techniques, Aspirations 1st Ed. Edition

Special offers and product promotions

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From Library Journal

Review

From the Publisher

About the Author

Product details

Videos

Customer reviews

Top review from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

The Painted Photograph, 1839–1914: Origins, Techniques, Aspirations 1st Ed. Edition

Sorry, there was a problem.

Sorry, there was a problem.

Special offers and product promotions

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From Library Journal

Review

From the Publisher

About the Author

Product details

Videos

Customer reviews

Top review from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.