188 Years Later: Reconstructing Daguerre’s Pioneering Photograph
Researchers have identified the precise spot in Paris where Louis Daguerre captured what is believed to be the first photograph of human beings on this historic street. In 1838, Daguerre positioned his camera at an upstairs window of his studio to photograph the bustling street below. Remarkably, the long exposure of four to five minutes caught two figures—a shoeshine boy and his client—immortalizing them in history as the first humans to appear in a photograph.
This historic breakthrough in photography echoes in how wildlife photography captures engaging moments today, showcasing the evolution of photographic storytelling.
A Modern Investigation into a 19th-Century Scene on the Historic Street
Maximilien Van Aertryck, Axel Danielson, and Kalle Boman, devoted two years to researcher this groundbreaking scene, scouring historical archives and constructing 3D models of 1838 Paris. Their efforts pinpointed the exact location where the photograph was taken along this famous boulevard. Situated in Place de la République, a bronze plaque now commemorates this spot.
According to French news outlet Le Monde, the daguerreotype, like all its kind, initially showed a mirrored image. To locate the original site, the team collaborated with surveyors and architects to recreate the historical landscape using various archival records. Despite Hausmann’s redevelopment of Paris, three original buildings survived to guide their analysis. The photograph was determined to have been taken near the current Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple, on the famous thoroughfare, near the heart of Place de la République.
Unfinished History: Searching for the Original Image
While the plaque marks Daguerre’s historic contribution to photography history, the hunt for a negative continues. According to a report by Radio France, the original plate sent to Ludwig I of Bavaria was destroyed in World War II. Beaumont Newhall’s 1937 copy remains a significant source for what was lost.
Exploring lost images reminds one of capturing rare celestial events, demonstrating photography’s ability to preserve fleeting moments in time.
Engaging with institutions like the Bavarian National Museum and the Getty Center, Van Aertryck explains their ongoing pursuit. They are meticulously tracing letters and records kept by Newhall in hopes of uncovering a negative that might reveal more of Daguerre’s pioneering image, “[…] continuing our investigation,” says Van Aertryck, deepening the narrative of this landmark photograph taken on that storied boulevard.
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Frequently asked questions
Where was Daguerre’s first human photograph taken?
The photograph was taken at an upstairs window of Daguerre’s studio, capturing the street below in 1838, near the current Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple and Place de la République in Paris.
How were the location details of Daguerre’s photo determined?
Researchers used historical archives and 3D models to pinpoint the location. They collaborated with surveyors and architects, taking into account the survival of three original buildings despite Hausmann’s redevelopment of Paris.
What happened to the original plate of Daguerre’s photograph?
The original plate sent to Ludwig I of Bavaria was destroyed in World War II, making Beaumont Newhall’s 1937 copy a significant remaining source.
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