Copy of a Lithographic Print 1843 - 1845

This photogenic drawing, a copy of a lithographic print, was created by William Henry Fox Talbot, and is now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The composition is a dense array of faces, each etched with strong emotions, ranging from anger to despair. The monochromatic palette and the lack of sharp details gives the image a dreamlike quality, as if we’re peering into a collective consciousness. The faces, tightly packed, confront the viewer, creating a sense of unease and claustrophobia. Talbot’s choice to photograph a lithographic print introduces a layer of mediation. He is not capturing reality directly, but a representation of it. This act raises questions about the nature of reproduction, authenticity, and the role of the artist in an age of mechanical reproduction. The octagonal frame further isolates this cluster of emotion, turning it into a specimen, a study of human expression under duress. It’s a powerful reminder that art can reflect and amplify the complexities of human experience.