Bust of Patroclus 1842 - 1844

"Bust of Patroclus" is a calotype photograph by William Henry Fox Talbot, a pioneer of photography. Created between 1842 and 1844, it depicts a plaster bust of the Greek hero Patroclus. Talbot's use of the calotype process, which involved paper coated with silver salts, captures the subtle details of the sculpture, including the texture of the plaster and the expression on Patroclus's face. This photograph, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, showcases Talbot's technical skill and his interest in using photography to document and study art.