Felce 1839

photo of handprinted image

toned paper

water colours

pastel soft colours

ink paper printed

coloured pencil

underpainting

plant

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

watercolor

"Felce" (1839) by William Henry Fox Talbot is a striking example of a calotype, an early photographic process he invented. The image depicts a single fern frond, rendered in stark white against a muted pink background. Talbot's mastery of the calotype, known for its soft focus and delicate tonal range, is evident in this botanical study. This work is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcasing the evolution of photography and its early focus on nature.