An historic equine image identified as the earliest known surviving photograph, comes under the hammer at Sotheby’s
A grainy image of a boy and a horse is set to rewrite the history of photography.
French chemist, Joseph Niepce created the picture, in 1825 from a 17th century Dutch print.
It has been held in a private collection of rare photographs owned by Andre Jammes, which is going up for sale at auctioneers, Sotheby’s, in Paris in March.
Helen Griffith, a spokesperson for Sotheby’s, said: “It is a very significant find. Up until now it was though that the earliest photograph in existence was taken in 1826. “
The 1826 photograph was also by Niepce.
Accompanying the horse image is a full, detailed step-by-step account of the processes by which Niepce created the photograph using the power of light to make a plate from which an image could be printed.
“This image and its accompanying correspondence oblige us to rewrite those crucial first stages of the history of photography, says Helen. “They represent an historic discovery and special moment in the annals of science.”
The 6ins x 4ins photograph is expected to reach around £500,000.
