Town Hall, Cirencester 1858

Alfred Capel Cure made this photograph of the Town Hall in Cirencester, England, sometime in the mid-19th century, using a process called salted paper printing. This early photographic technique involved coating paper with a silver nitrate solution, making it sensitive to light. The resulting print has a soft, slightly textured surface, a direct result of the paper's fibers. Salted paper printing was a labor-intensive process, requiring careful attention to chemical mixtures, exposure times, and washing. This craft-based approach to photography allowed for unique variations in tone and detail. Here, the salt print process emphasizes the architectural details of the Town Hall. The play of light and shadow across the stone facade is captured in subtle gradations. By focusing on the materiality and making of this photograph, we gain a richer appreciation of the artistic decisions involved, challenging any strict divide between photography and other artistic practices, such as printmaking.