Articles of Glass 1841 - 1844

William Henry Fox Talbot made "Articles of Glass," a salt print, in England at an unknown date. Talbot's photograph speaks to the moment when photography was emerging as a technology and a new form of art. Consider the Victorian era's obsession with collecting and displaying objects. This photograph captures a curated arrangement of glassware on shelves. The image offers a glimpse into the domestic sphere and the material culture of the British middle class. During this time, glass production became more accessible and affordable, leading to its increased presence in middle class homes. Talbot's work straddles the line between scientific documentation and artistic expression. The photograph invites us to consider the social and cultural implications of new technologies and their impact on everyday life. To understand the image, researchers can turn to sources such as Victorian era periodicals, household inventories, and studies of the history of photography and material culture.