Sisymbrium Cumingianum 1839

"Sisymbrium Cumingianum," a 1839 calotype by William Henry Fox Talbot, depicts a delicate botanical specimen. This early photographic process, known as calotype, employed a paper negative, resulting in a reversed image with a characteristic soft focus. This image, part of Talbot's extensive collection of botanical studies, showcases his pioneering efforts in the field of photography and his dedication to scientific documentation.