[Photogenic Drawing of a Plant] 1839 - 1840

"[Photogenic Drawing of a Plant]" is a pioneering photographic work by William Henry Fox Talbot from 1839-1840, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Talbot, a pioneer in the field of photography, used the calotype process to capture this delicate botanical specimen. The image, rendered in shades of white and gray against a brown background, showcases Talbot's early experimentation with photographic techniques and his interest in the natural world. The detail and clarity of the plant's delicate structure, captured in a photogenic drawing, demonstrate the potential of photography as a scientific and artistic tool.