Photography:

THE ANCIENT VESTRY: CALVERT JONES IN THE CLOISTERS AT LACOCK ABBEY

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WILLIAM HENRY FOX TALBOT

Genre: Architectural

Date: 1845

Location: Lacock Abbey, UK

Format: Salt print

“William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-77) made many of his most important photographs at his family home, the beautiful Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire, large parts of which date from the 12th century.

Fox Talbot was a true polymath, who published books and scholarly articles on a variety of subjects including mathematics, astronomy, chemistry, optics, botany and philosophy. Lacock Abbey was the focal point of his experimentations with photography, and served as a place where he could meet with his wide range of friends to explore the potential of the new medium.

One of these friends was the Reverend Calvert Jones, who became noted photographer in his own right. In 1845, Jones and Fox Talbot travelled to York, Bristol and parts of Devon, as well as spending time together at Lacock Abbey, where this image was made. Fox Talbot made skilful use of the light in this scene, positioning Jones in his top hat in a patch of sunlight and framing him within one of the arches of the medieval cloisters.

Lacock Abbey is now owned by the National Trust of England and Wales and is preserved as a site of pilgrimage to one of the founding fathers of photography.” (PL)

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