Miniature Edition of Mrs Cameron's Photographs From the Life, 1869, Julia Margaret Cameron. Courtesy the National Media Museum Collection
A unique and historically important photograph album by famous British Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron has been obtained by The National Media Museum in Bradford.
The acquisition of Miniature Edition of Mrs Cameron’s Photographs From the Life, 1869 developed thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a £5,000 donation from independent arts charity The Art Fund.
Cameron scholars and researchers had previously been unaware of the album’s location, which was finally pinpointed by the Museum’s curator of photographs, Philippa Wright.
David Barrie, Director of The Art Fund, said: “This is an extraordinary piece, demonstrating Julia Margaret Cameron’s varied career – not only did she successfully capture eminent figures of her day, she also recorded intimate moments amongst friends and relatives. This collection will enrich the National Media Museum’s substantial photographic archive, bringing pleasure to specialist researchers and general visitors alike.”
Portraits from the album. Courtesy the National Media Museum Collection
Cameron only got her hands on a camera at the age of 48, but is now recognised as one of the most influential figures in the history of photography. She embraced the medium with a passion that bordered on obsession, creating a collection of portraits renowned for their remarkable intimacy.
The National Media Museum will preserve the album for future generations by making digital copies, and there are also plans afoot to make it part of an interactive digital display. Permanent access to the album will be available via Insight, the Museum’s research facility.
The Museum currently holds the largest and most comprehensive collection of Cameron’s work. The photographs, ephemera and letters include her hand-written autobiography Annals of My Glass House, and the original lens of her camera.
