Louis Daguerre

Louis Daguerre engraving

Boulevard du Temple by Daguerre (unmirrored)

1837 Daguerreotype of Huet by Daguerre

Diorama diagram

The Ruins of Holyrood Chapel (Louis Daguerre), 1824 (Google Art Project)

Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre (18 November 1787 – 10 July 1851) was a French artist and photographer, recognized for his invention of the daguerreotype process of photography. He is considered one of the fathers of photography and his invention marked a significant milestone in the development of photographic technology.

Early Life

Louis Daguerre was born in Cormeilles-en-Parisis, Val-d'Oise, France. He began his career as an apprentice in architecture, theatre design, and panoramic painting. Daguerre was skilled in the art of diorama, a form of painting that creates an illusion of depth, which gained him significant recognition and success in Paris.

Invention of the Daguerreotype

In the 1820s, Daguerre partnered with Nicéphore Niépce, a French inventor who had been experimenting with ways to capture images using light-sensitive materials. After Niépce's death in 1833, Daguerre continued their work and made significant improvements. In 1839, he announced the invention of the daguerreotype process, which produced remarkably detailed images on a silvered copper plate.

The French government acquired the patent for the daguerreotype and announced the invention as a gift "free to the world" on 19 August 1839, a date now celebrated as World Photography Day. This revolutionary process significantly reduced the exposure time required to create an image, making photography more practical and accessible.

Impact and Legacy

Daguerre's invention had a profound impact on the arts, sciences, and daily life. It allowed for the accurate documentation of the world and its inhabitants, revolutionizing the fields of photography, journalism, and historical documentation. The daguerreotype became immensely popular in the 1840s and 1850s, leading to the opening of portrait studios around the world.

Despite the eventual decline of the daguerreotype in favor of newer photographic processes, Daguerre's contributions to the development of photography are undeniable. He laid the groundwork for future advancements in photographic technology and visual communication.

Death and Honors

Louis Daguerre died on 10 July 1851 in Bry-sur-Marne, France. In recognition of his contributions to the field of photography, his name is one of the 72 names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower. Daguerre's legacy continues to be celebrated by photographers and historians alike.

See Also

• History of photography
• Photographic processes before 1880
• Nicéphore Niépce