Fotoreproductie van de vierde pagina van het samenwerkingscontract tussen Louis Daguerre en Nicéphore Niépce 1867

This is a photographic reproduction of the fourth page from the 1829 agreement between Louis Daguerre and Nicéphore Niépce. The document is presented in landscape format; the texture and folds in the paper speak to its age and handling. The script itself is a dance of dark ink against the page; the composition of handwriting flowing across the page creates a visual rhythm that fills and defines the space. The calligraphic strokes, with their varying thickness and pressure, construct a semantic network on the page. The signatures at the bottom anchor the document, each a unique gesture symbolizing agreement and commitment. As a historical artifact, it marks a pivotal moment in the history of photography. It invites us to consider how documents, like artworks, are structured texts that convey meaning through their material presence and semiotic content. This document is a testament to the formal agreement that paved the way for a revolutionary technology.