Untitled daguerreotype of odalisque
On January 9, 1839 the French Academy of Sciences announces the completion of the Daguerreotype. On August 19, 1839, the French government announces the invention a gift “Free to the World“. One year later photos like this one[1] were on the market.
The daguerro-aesthetic is still popular today, see this photo[2] by Jan Saudek.
![[2]](http://lemateurdart.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/danseuse2003.jpg){kind=link}
Uh…the aesthetic wasn’t limited to daguerrotypes of the day. And actually, daguerrotypes aren’t the same as photographs. They are not printed or developed on paper. They are on metal. Quite wonderful, they are.
…pick, pick, pick…
Lichanos, I felt the post was flawed while writing it. Saudek is indeed inspired by vintage photography in general. As for daguerrotypes not being photos, that is debatable, as the term photography has become metonymic for “capturing light on any medium without the intervention of the hand”
Nevertheless, points well taken.
Loved your Point Blank report. And the post on http://iamyouasheisme.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/men-without-power/
Jan
the saudek image is beautiful
Thanks!
The impotence theme just struck me because I watched the two films in succession…thanks to you! (And our local library system.)
Yeah, photos, you’re right, but it’s good to keep in mind just how different a medium Daguerreotypes are. It’s quite startling when you see on for real…in a book they look pretty much like any other print.
Saudek has a very consistent and refined aesthetic.