ROGER FENTON - London: The British Museum

THE ARTWORK

"London: The British Museum" is a notable photograph taken by Roger Fenton in the 1850s, showcasing one of the world's most significant cultural institutions. This image captures the grand façade of the British Museum, reflecting the neoclassical architectural style prevalent in the early 19th century. Fenton’s use of large-format photography allows for remarkable detail and clarity, emphasizing the museum’s impressive columns and pediment.

As a pioneering photographer, Fenton aimed to document important cultural landmarks and events, contributing to the growing public interest in photography as an art form. His photograph not only highlights the architectural beauty of the museum but also serves as a historical record of the institution during a period of expansion and increasing public access.

THE ARTIST

Roger Fenton (1819–1869) was a pioneering English photographer known for his role in early documentary photography and his significant contributions to the art form during the 19th century. Fenton gained prominence as one of the first war photographers, capturing the Crimean War (1853–1856) through a series of images that documented the realities of conflict and the lives of soldiers. His work provided a stark contrast to the romanticized depictions of war common in paintings of the time.

Fenton’s most famous series, "The Valley of the Shadow of Death," features haunting images of the battlefield, including scenes of cannonballs strewn across a desolate landscape. These photographs helped to shape public perception of the war, bringing the harsh realities of combat into the consciousness of the British public.

In addition to his war photography, Fenton was also known for his landscape and architectural work, utilizing large-format cameras and the collodion wet plate process to achieve remarkable clarity and detail. His contributions were vital in establishing photography as a legitimate artistic medium, and he was instrumental in founding the Photographic Society in London. Fenton's legacy continues to influence the fields of photojournalism and documentary photography today.

THE PRINT

• A4 Size = 29.7cm x 21cm = 11.7" x 8.25"
• A3 Size = 42cm x 29.7cm = 16.5" x 11.7"
• High resolution giclée print - 600dpi
• Printed to order
• Unframed & unmounted
• Professionally printed using Canon imagePROGRAF printers
• Digitally restored by OharaPrints from high resolution scans of the original artwork
• Made in and shipped from Casterton, Victoria, Australia

PAPER

• Canson Infinity - Arches BFK Rives White
• Paper weight = 310gsm
• 100% cotton
• Archival, museum grade
• Acid free
• No OBAs (optical brightening agents)

Arches BFK Rives is a high-quality, archival-grade paper manufactured at the Arches paper mill in France - one of the oldest papermakers in Europe. It is made from 100% cotton rag using a time-honoured manufacturing process, giving the paper exceptional durability, longevity, and resistance to yellowing or deterioration over time. Despite its substantial weight and thickness it maintains a very soft and supple feel. The paper has a natural white tone and is completely free of any optical brighteners (OBAs), allowing for superb colour rendition and deep blacks.

INK

• Canon Lucia Pro Inks
• Pigment based
• Archival, museum-grade
• Brilliant colours, even gradient and razor-sharp lines
• Highly stable and fade resistant, excellent humidity-fastness

SHIPPING & HANDLING

• All orders are dispatched on the NEXT BUSINESS DAY after receiving the order
• All prints are shipped via AUSTRALIA POST with TRACKING
• For postage rates and estimated delivery times please see our SHIPPING page
• All prints are shipped flat, not rolled
• Each print is individually placed into a resealable, archival grade plastic protective sleeve
• Prints are carefully packaged in very sturdy 700gsm cardboard envelopes, along with 1050gsm boxboard sheets which provide extra strength & rigidity to prevent bending or folding during transit