Belgian Autochromists

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Misty wood (c. 1910) by Charles Corbet.

A perfect autumnal scene from Charles Corbet, one of many woodland views at the Belgian Autochromists site. As usual with autochromes it’s hard to believe that almost all these images are over a century old, the colours are so subtle. Some of the lighting is also remarkable, especially the self-portraits by Ernest van Zuylen which are lit with a single candle. Paul Sano’s lady sitting in the garden gives a foretaste of Magritte-like Surrealism, its inset eclipse appearing at first glance to be a large black sphere hovering unnoticed or ignored beside the seated woman.

Via Wood s Lot.

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Melancholia (c. 1910) by Charles Corbet.

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Sunset on the heath (c. 1910) by Paul Sano.

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Lady and inset of solar eclipse (c. 1910) by Paul Sano.

Previously on { feuilleton }
Colour photography, 1908
Fred Holland Day revisited
Constantinople, 1900
Albert Kahn’s Autochromes
Gertrude Käsebier’s crystal gazer
The Dawn of the Autochrome