Whom You Know: Peachy in Space is Peachy at The Met: The First Total Solar Eclipse Ever Captured in Photographs in the United States at The Met

Monday, August 21, 2017

Peachy in Space is Peachy at The Met: The First Total Solar Eclipse Ever Captured in Photographs in the United States at The Met

William Langenheim (American, born Germany, Schöningen 1807–1874) and Frederick Langenheim (American, born Germany, Schöningen 1809–1879), Eclipse of the Sun, 1854, Daguerreotype. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gilman Collection, Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation, 2005.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art owns the only surviving images of the solar eclipse that occurred on May 26, 1854—the first total eclipse of the sun visible in North America since the invention of photography. There was an exclusive press viewing of these rare and unique photographs and we were delighted to be invited to this before the eclipse; thank you to The Met. The viewing was accompanied by a presentation by Jeff Rosenheim, Joyce Frank Menschel Curator in Charge of the Department of Photographs.

The Met tells Whom You Know:

The first total eclipse of the sun that was visible in North America after the invention of photography occurred 163 years ago, on May 26, 1854. Photographers William and Frederick Langenheim, brothers from Philadelphia, made eight sequential daguerreotypes of the eclipse. Seven survive and are among the treasures in The Met collection.

The 1854 solar eclipse was visible from Astoria, Oregon, to Eastport, Maine, roughly from sunrise to sunset. It arrived in New York State at 4:15 pm and lasted for 2 hours and 22 minutes. In the northern hemisphere, the moon always shadows the sun from right to left during a solar eclipse; these images therefore seem odd because they are, like all uncorrected daguerreotypes, reversed laterally, as in a mirror.

Left: William Langenheim (American [born Germany], 1807–1874) and Frederick Langenheim (American [born Germany], 1809–1879).Eclipse of the Sun, 1854. Daguerreotype, 1 1/4 x 1 in. (3.2 x 2.5 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gilman Collection, Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation, 2005 (2005.100.614d)

It is noteworthy that the Langenheims' eclipse daguerreotypes are quite small—three of them exceptionally so. In order to produce any kind of image at all, the photographers were forced to use the smallest cameras available, because there was virtually no available light when the disk of the new moon eclipsed the largest part of the sun, and smaller cameras require proportionally less light to make an image. The missing eighth image was probably made on the smaller plate size and showed nothing at all—a total eclipse.

Further Reading

Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History: "The Daguerreian Era and Early American Photography on Paper, 1839–60"

Department: Photographs

***

Enjoy today's historic solar eclipse!

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

-Edward Tricomi, Master Stylist and Owner of Warren-Tricomi
https://warrentricomi.com/

"No one has yet to express their taste for our cuisine better than Peachy Deegan on Whom You Know. Thank you for transforming our flavor into words, unlike any other before.
Sometimes WHOM YOU KNOW, really makes a difference and Ammos Estiatorio is grateful to know Peachy Deegan!"
-
Dimitris Nakos, Founder and Owner of
Ammos Estiatorio
https://ammosnewyork.com/

“Whom You Know has done an amazing job of featuring our company over many years [seven]. Peachy has worked tirelessly to create a well-curated selection of topics and brands that are clearly of relevance to her growing audience of readers. Her articles are filled with great insights based on first-hand experience. She does her research, knows her business and is a pleasure to work with!”

-David Sasuga, Owner of Fresh Origins Microgreens
www.FreshOrigins.com

"Peachy Deegan has the pulse of the nation and highlights exceptional opinion leaders in more than 23,000 inspiring and entertaining posts. Her 100,000 twitter followers are a true testimony to Peachy’s ability to inspire, motivate and entertain. She is a feminine force to be reckoned with and an exemplary example of an influential voice in today’s world."

-Mica Mosbacher, author of the new book The Hurricane Factor: Stormside Patriots and tv political commentator

"It was an honour to be chosen for Movers and Shakers by Peachy Deegan. The questions in the interview were intelligent and insightful and I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. The reaction to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive and has helped bring my art practice to a wider audience."
-Damien Flood, Internationally Acclaimed Artist
http://www.damienflood.ie/

"We were so fortunate to hit Peachy’s radar. Her review of our Warmies was spot-on and came at a great time in our company’s early history.
Peachy has such a strong relationship with her readers. She provides honest and real comments; she is truly a trusted source in a very large circle
of consumers."
-Scott Wehrs
President
Intelex U.S.A.
http://www.intelexusallc.com/

"We at Primola love working with Whom You Know and are proud to have been a highly-ranked Manhattan restaurant by Peachy Deegan since 2012, and are featured seasonally. We appreciate the fantastic work Peachy does highlighting our cuisine with her sublime writing style and the whole neighborhood of the Upper East side. Also, we are glad that she has started a Made in Italy column! If you have the opportunity to be considered for review, we'd highly recommend working with her."
-Giuliano Zuliani, Owner of Primola Restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/Primola-Canaletto-restaurants-NYC-135616799831091

"
Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

-
Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
www.Belleek.com

"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
-Dr. Garo Nazarian, Founder and Owner of Cosmopolitan Dental
http://cosmopolitandental.com/