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David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson

 
David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson

Scottish

David Octavius Hill, Scottish painter and arts activist (1802 – May 17, 1870) Prefered Nationality: British Robert Adamson, (April 26, 1821 – January 14, 1848) was a Scottish pioneer photographer. Prefered Nationality: British David Octavius Hill collaborated with the engineer and photographer Robert Adamson between 1843 and 1847 to pioneer many aspects of photography in Scotland. Note: In 1821 Hill learned lithography and published a series of landscapes of Perthshire, Scotland. In 1843 Hill decided to use photography to capture the images of the clergymen involved in the disruption of the Church of Scotland to form the Free Church of Scotland, which he used as visual aids for a large oil painting. Since he was unfamiliar with the calotype process he asked Robert Adamson to assist him. In 1843 Hill and Robert Adamson formed a partnership and established a studio at Rock House, Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland, where Adamson was in charge of photographing and the chemical processes and Hill was artistic director overseeing costumes and arrangement of the sitters. This partnership lasted until the death of Adamson in 1848. Hill abandoned the studio a few months after Adamson's death, giving up photography for painting. Hill returned to photography in the 1850s using the wet plate process. He also collaborated with A. McGlashan (n.d.) from 1860 to 1862 and used the collodion process. He died 17 May 1870. Scottish painter. Note: Adamson learned the calotype process from his brother Dr. John Adamson (1802-1860), and produced his first successful calotype in 1842. In 1843 Adamson established a professional portrait studio with David Octavius Hill at Rock House, Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland. Adamson photographed and was in charge of the chemical processes, and Hill was the artistic director who arranged costumes and settings for the sitters. The partnership lasted until Adamson's death in 1848. Adamson & Hill photographed Durham Cathedral ca. 1844. Scottish doctor and photographer.

11 objects

Seated Woman in a Bonnet Holding a Book

1843-1847
salt print from calotype negative
Gift of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg
2011.3.6
 

Reverend Henry Grey

1843-1847
salt print from calotype negative
Gift of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg
2011.3.1
 

Mrs. Rigby and Lady Elizabeth Rigby Eastlake

1843-1847
salt print from calotype negative
Gift of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg
2011.3.2
 

James Aytoun, Manufacturer, Kirkcaldy

1843-1847
salt print from calotype negative
Gift of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg
2011.3.3
 

Rev. Mr. James Scott

1843-1847
salt print from calotype negative
Gift of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg
2011.3.4
 

Lady Elizabeth (Rigby) Eastlake

1843-1847
salt print from calotype negative
Gift of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg
2011.3.5
 

William Johnstone, William Leitch and David Scott as ‘The Monks of Kennaquhair’

ca. 1849
salted paper print from a calotype negative
Gift of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg
2012.29.6
 

Portrait of Anna Jameson

ca.1844
salted paper print from a calotype negative
Gift of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg
2012.29.2
 

Self-Portrait of David Octavius Hill

ca. 1845
salted paper print from a calotype negative
Gift of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg
2012.29.4
 

Portrait of Horatio McCulloch, R.S.A.

ca. 1847
salted paper print from a calotype negative
Gift of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg
2012.29.5
 

Portrait of Lord Patrick Robertson

ca. 1845
salted paper print from a calotype negative
Gift of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg
2012.29.3