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The Royal Stag
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One of the earliest photographs in this exhibition, James Valentine’s Royal Stag possesses a rare spontaneity, both for photographs of this period and for still-life images in general. In photographing a royal stag (one with antlers of twelve or more branches), Valentine gave the animal the appearance of one that had just fallen in the bright light of midday. Because the technology of the day required a nearby darkroom where the exposed negative plate could be processed immediately, it is likely that the felled stag was arranged into its artistic pose by the photographer or his staff. Valentine was a distinguished topographical and landscape photographer, printer, and publisher whose Dundee-based company became the largest and best equipped in the United Kingdom. His accomplishments were recognized when in 1868 he was appointed Photographer to the Queen.
| Artist / Maker | James Valentine |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1870 |
| Culture / Origin | England, 19th century |
| Medium | albumen print from wet collodion negative |
| Dimensions | Image: 18.7 x 23.9 cm (7 3/8 x 9 7/16 in.); Matted: 40.6 x 50.8 cm (16 x 20 in.) |
| Department | Photography |
| Type | Photograph |
About the Artist
James Valentine British, b. Scotland, 1815-1880 James Valentine was a topographical and landscape photographer, printer, and publisher. Producing work of superior quality, he was appointed official photographer to the queen in 1868. His company, Valentine & Sons, Ltd., published his views and those of other operators. The Dundee-based firm was said to be the largest and best equipped in Britain, capable of turning out as many as 3,000 prints on a bright, sunny day. After Valentine's death, his sons, George… Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
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