GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Albumen is a binding agent made from egg whites, popular for producing photographs from 1855–1895. When applied to paper, albumen acts as a ground for the application of photosensitive silver nitrates. Albumen paper, invented by Louis-Désiré Blanquart-Evrard in 1850, created a smooth surface for suspension of the image, improving detail and tonal range. The paper is sensitized in silver nitrate, placed into a printing frame, and put into contact with the negative glass plate before being exposed to strong sunlight. Exposure is monitored for the desired density and then the print is removed from the frame before being fixed, toned, washed, and hung to dry. The manufacture of pre-made albumen paper was a booming business in the late 19th century; in 1894, one producer reported using sixty thousand egg whites each working day.
Excerpt from:
- Label text, The Lens of Impressionism: Photography and Painting Along the Normandy Coast, 1850-1874, 2016.
NOTES
Passage adopted from Through the Lens exhibition materials (Looking at Early Photographs, Materials and Processes Glossary) on TAZ.
Accents on both "e's" in Desire.
ASSOCIATED CONTENT CHUNKS
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
265930671: UMO. Raw egg is used as a mixing agent in mediums such as albumen and egg tempera.
Image will also be the CC primary illustration.
Image cataloged while completing "tempera" note. (2/27/2017)
WEB RESOURCES
- Victoria and Albert Museum~Learn more about albumen prints and explore different photographic techniques through the V&A's glossary of photographic processes.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
apply to objects where medium contains albumen
apply to content where content contains albumen
Category
rules_operator
AND
General Description
Albumen is a binding agent made from egg whites, popular for producing photographs from 1855–1895. When applied to paper, albumen acts as a ground for the application of photosensitive silver nitrates. Albumen paper, invented by Louis-Désiré Blanquart-Evrard in 1850, created a smooth surface for suspension of the image, improving detail and tonal range. The paper is sensitized in silver nitrate, placed into a printing frame, and put into contact with the negative glass plate before being exposed to strong sunlight. Exposure is monitored for the desired density and then the print is removed from the frame before being fixed, toned, washed, and hung to dry. The manufacture of pre-made albumen paper was a booming business in the late 19th century; in 1894, one producer reported using sixty thousand egg whites each working day.
Excerpt from:
- Label text, The Lens of Impressionism: Photography and Painting Along the Normandy Coast, 1850-1874, 2016.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
- Victoria and Albert Museum~Learn more about albumen prints and explore different photographic techniques through the V&A's glossary of photographic processes.
Notes
Passage adopted from Through the Lens exhibition materials (Looking at Early Photographs, Materials and Processes Glossary) on TAZ.
Accents on both "e's" in Desire.
rules
Apply To
Objects
medium
Contains
albumen
Apply To
Content
content
Contains
albumen
source file
materials_and_techniques-0011.xml.nores