Photography as an aid to painters in the 19th century - two examples from the National Gallery Archive in Prague
Abstract
Soon after the invention of photography this new medium became a subject of interest of many artists. This paper starts with general outline of the use of photographs as an aid at the 19th century painters' studios.
Subsequently it deals with two particular examples from the National Gallery Archive in Prague. Václav Brožík' and Vojtěch Hynais' estates contain many photographs, that helped the painters in creative process.
These are either photographs generally called " Études d'aprés nature", study material for artists made by professional photographers, or photographs taken to be used as preparatory studies for specific paintings. The latter were since 1880s frequently taken by painters themselves, as illustrated by examples of Vojtěch Hynais and Václav Brožík.