Newhaven Fisherman 1843 - 1847

"Newhaven Fisherman" is a calotype photograph by Scottish photographers David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson, taken between 1843 and 1847. This image, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, captures a working-class fisherman in a candid portrait, showcasing the duo's pioneering approach to capturing the realities of everyday life in the 19th century. The use of calotype, an early photographic process, creates a unique softness and detail, highlighting the subject's weathered features and the texture of his clothing. This work is a significant example of early photography, demonstrating the artistic potential of the medium for capturing human subjects.