Julia Margaret Cameron
(Julia Margaret Cameron: Sir John F. W. Herschel)
Julia Margaret Cameron (England, 1815–1879)
Sir John F. W. Herschel. 1867
Albumen print
14 x 10 3/4 in. image size
Henry Art Gallery, Joseph and Elaine Monsen Photography Collection, gift of Joseph and Elaine Monsen and The Boeing Company, 97.35
British photographer Julia Margaret Cameron brought her bulky camera close to her sitters, capturing their portraits on large plates (approximately 11 x 14 in.). Cameron often wrote below these life-size prints, “From Life Not Enlarged.” She was known for capturing the psychological and intellectual qualities of her sitters. When making this portrait of Sir John F. W. Herschel, Cameron encouraged the famed astronomer to move during the exposure, blurring the finished print. She thought this might visually evoke his reputation for innovation.