
While
many early architectural photographs seem to be
all-encompassing, no-nonsense frontal views, some
photographers took a more interpretive approach. They
selected details--a bit of carving, the pattern of light
on a stairway--or they captured only a glimpse of a
building, as an arriving visitor would first see it
emerging from the surrounding landscape. These
interpretive pictures were important steps in the
development of pictorialist and modernist
photography--details and glimpses of architecture, and
also of photography's future.
right:
Francis Frith (British, 1820-1899): "Door, Capella
Imperfecta, Batalha, Portugal."Albumen print, circa
1870
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Click on any
image to view an enlargement
Francis
Bedford (England, 1816-1894): "Christchurch Gateway,
Canterbury." Albumen print published by Francis Frith from
negative circa 1855.
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Giorgio
Sommer (Italy, 1834-1914): "Vierwaldstattersee. Tells
capelle." Albumen print, circa 1890.
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Unidentified
photographer, possibly Carlo Ponti (Italy): Palazzo
Gussoni, Venice, with Gondola. Albumen print, circa
1875
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"G.H.
Phot." (probably Gustave Hermans
[1856-1934]):"BRUXELLES-- Escalier du Palais du
Justice." Albumen print, circa 1885
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Unidentified
photographer [U.S.]: Untitled (View Through a
Doorway). Cyanotype, circa 1895
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Unidentified
photographer (France): "1596. Limoges. Motif du Jubét
du XVI siecle." Albumen print, ca. 1870 (?)
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John
Reed Edis (England, 1860-1942): A Glimpse of Durham
Cathedral. Platinum print, circa 1915.
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Fisher
& Co. (Valley City, North Dakota): Entrance to State
Normal School. Silver or Platinum-Silver print, circa
1905
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Wilbur
H. Porterfield (Buffalo, New York [1873-1958]):
"Colonial Columns." Toned silver print,
1910.
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Baldwin
Coolidge [Boston, Massachusetts]: Untitled albumen
print cabinet card, circa 1890
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1998
The American Museum of Photography. All Rights
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