[Man] 1843 - 1847

"[Man]" is a calotype photograph created by the Scottish photographic partnership of David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson. Taken between 1843 and 1847, this photograph is a powerful example of the early development of photography. The image, which is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures a seated man in a formal pose, showcasing the detailed rendering of clothing and facial features that defined the early period of portraiture in photography. The calotype process, invented by Henry Fox Talbot, allowed for a greater depth of detail and a more nuanced tonal range than previous photographic techniques.