Hold-to-Light Photographs.
19 reverse painted albumen print photographs of locations in Europe, though mainly in Italy with a couple in France & Switzerland. The photographs have been mounted on 'viewing frames' so that they can be held up against a light source. When viewed normally via reflected light they appear in the usual monochrome or sepia tones. However, when the frames are held up against a light source, they suddenly appear full of colour and the scenes take on a whole new character & atmosphere.
Many of the images have also been pierced and/or scored to in order to enhance the representation of natural & artificial lighting, with one photo having around 200 pinholes, each representing a street, building or carriage lamp. There is also Vesuvius which has been pierced and scored so that it glows orange with streaming molten lava. There are also elements such as ghostly ships and boats that appear and disappear with the light, almost animating the scenes like the panoramas of old or the more contemporary Magic Lantern shows.It appears as if no element of the original images has been left untouched. Once 'dead' windows now provide glimpses into warmly lit rooms and skyscapes reveal once hidden moons. Brightly gilded plasterwork ceilings now frame polychrome paintings and newly lit street lamps light up the once dark recesses. And Jesus on the cross, surrounded by the multitude, becomes bathed in holy light.
The viewing frames are made from a very light wood such as balsa with handles applied to each side, making them very easy to handle. The photographs have been tightly stretched, membrane like, over the wooden frames, so that they emit a drum like sound if knocked. 14 frames have hand-written paper labels to the rear.---
The photos measure roughly 24.5 x 34 cm (roughly 9.5 x 14 inches ). Frames measure 0.9 x 32 x 41 cm (roughly 13 x 16 inches).
5 of the photographs have tears/punctures to the front and 5 have tears/punctures to the backing material. A few have stains to the front, 1 has a few indentations, 1 has some paper residue to front and 2 have paper repairs to rear. The black paper and backing material has lifted and/or is missing in a few places here & there. Otherwise the photos are all firmly attached to the frames which are all structurally sound.
As it is sometimes difficult to properly judge the look and condition of an item from the description and photos alone, please feel free to bid knowing that you can return the item post free if you are not entirely pleased with your purchase.
- Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.
Combined shipping available at cost.
Welsh Bridge Books & Collectables is a bricks and mortar shop located alongside the River Severn at Shrewsbury, in a beautiful 16th Century building housing three floors of interesting and eclectic books and collectables for sale. If you're in Shropshire please pop by and say hello! Thank you.