Fading Away ~ 1858
photographer: Henry Peach Robinson (English, 1830-1901)
medium: Albumen silver print from glass negatives
The photograph shows a young girl on her deathbed surrounded by her family. This photograph is an example of combination printing, which Robinson learnt from Oscar Gustaf Rejlander (1813-1875). Five different negatives were used to make one complete print. ‘Fading Away’ is probably Robinson’s most famous photograph, and it was widely exhibited at the time. The photograph depicts a girl dying of consumption, and was controversial when it was exhibited, with many believing it was not a suitable subject for photography.