Item Info

Series: Lithograph
Media Type: Lithographs
Notes: "Photographien Ausstellung, Exposition de photographies."
Notes:

Lithograph Caption:

This structure was specially prepared for the exhibition of photographs, for which there was no room in the Art Gallery. It stands east of Memorial Hall, and north of the Main Exhibition Building. It is 258 feet in length by 107 feet in width. The style is French Renaissance. The monotony of length is broken by bay-windows and porticoes. The height of the gallery is one story, but the interior is lofty. The space for exhibition is divided by 28 hanging screens, 4 of which, in the centre, are 19 feet long, and the others 24 feet long each. They stand 16 feet apart, and are T-shaped, admirably lighted and useful for display. The smaller screens each furnish a hanging-space of 190 square feet. The larger ones make forty-eight spaces, each of which has an area of 240 square feet. The walls of the building add 5320 feet more to the object of the professional display. Altogether, the screens and walls furnish 19,080 feet of available hanging-space, no picture to hang lower than 2 ½ feet from the floor. The exhibition of actinic pictures is very fine, and when contrasted in memory with the first results of the discoveries of Daguerre and the productions of the Talbotype show immense progress in this branch of artistic science. Photography has by many been considered an automatic process in which chemical action prevails throughout, from the preparation of the plate and the direct interposition of the rays of the sun, the formation of the image, the securing of the fugitive impression upon the plate, the transfer to the sensitive paper, and the fixing of the impression and further processes until it is presented with finished effect. Chemistry plays the principal part in this wonderful drama; but it is like every other drama, which, however finely written, loses the greater part of its impression if the parts are played by poor actors. Knowledge, study, practical experience, and, beyond all, good taste, are necessary to the photographer; and how requisite these qualities are is shown by the varieties of pictures in this exhibition. They are all fine, but there are some which attract the attention of even uninstructed spectators. Germany, Austria, England, France and the United States furnish the collection, and many of the pieces are of the highest degree of interest. Members of the Photographic profession throughout the United States joined in the movement which led to the construction of this building, and it has been erected at their expense. Cost, $26,000. Materials, iron, brick, glass and bronze. The roof is composed entirely of glass, so that the light thrown upon the pictures is clear and soft, bringing out the most delicate details and effects.

Notes: 1 lithograph; 12 x 22 cm.
Notes: Architect: H.J. Schwarzmann.
Notes: Removed from: Centennial portfolio / Thompson Westcott. Philadelphia : T. Hunter, 1876.
Notes: The Building, situated on landscaped grounds. People stroll in the foreground and background.
Creator Name: Westcott, Thompson. Centennial portfolio.
Thomas Hunter, lithographer.