Used in the 19th century by professional photographers, amateurs and artists, paper negatives allowed the burgeoning art of photography to integrate itself fully with the world of art. Starting from 1840, paper negatives became a new and fascinating tool, annoucing « the era of reproduction » whilst creating a new visaul universe. The exhibition explores this exciting time in the history of photography, mostly undocumented until now.

The Petit Palais Paris. Photo: JasonW

Drawn from prestigious Italian and French collections, 140 pieces, negatives or developments from the time, are brought together for the first time. The exhibition offers a re-evaluation of the role and uses of paper negatives in Italy, a country where all kinds of pioneers and amateurs perfected a new way of seeing and using images.

From romantic landscapes to tourist shots, as well as artistic collections, paper negatives allowed photography to go professional and help the proliferation of the modern publishing companies. In this adventure, photographers from Italy (Giacomo Caneva, Vero Veraci, Luigi Sacchi, etc.), France (Eugène Piot, Frédéric Flacheron, Edouard Delessert etc.) and England (George Wilson Bridges, Calvert Jones, James Graham) worked in close collaboration.

Gustave de Beaucorps, Rome, San Pietro in Vincoli. Private collection

Far removed from the precision or photorealism that is now habitually associate with photography, these works are a testimony to the subjective and intimate sensibilities of the time. The require us to change radically our way of looking.

Your visit to the Petit Palais could also be the moment to check out one of their latest important acquisitions: a ceramic vase by Louis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse called « Lutte pour la vie » (Fight for Life), exposed in the decorative arts room (room 1). Together with the Jardinière des Titans and the Vase Ronde d’enfants, le Petit Palais now possesses three vases by the famous Manufacture de Choisy-le-Roi, whose brilliant and virtuoso production is rarely represented in French collections.

photo : Petit Palais / Roger Viollet

The exhibition Eloge du négatif is at the Petit Palais (here) from 18th February – 2nd May 2010. Open every day except Mondays and public holidays from 10am – 6pm. Admission 6€ / 4,50€ / 3€

Official Petit Palais site (in French only): www.petitpalais.paris.fr