Egypt in the Stereoscope: From Francis Frith to Harry Burton

About the event

Egypt has fascinated the public since Napoleon’s scientific expedition that uncovered the Rosetta Stone, but until fairly recently few people could actually afford to travel there or were well-prepared enough to stand the hazards of the trip.  However, thanks to the introduction of the stereoscope and the improvements of photography, it became possible for the Victorian middle class to virtually discover all the monuments and sites of this ancient civilisation in glorious depth, without leaving their fireside or experiencing any discomfort.  

Starting with Francis Frith in the late 1850s, dozens of photographers up to the turn of the twentieth century captured the wonders of the Nile Valley for the stereoscope. When, in the mid-1920s, Harry Burton photographed the objects recovered from the tomb of King Tutankhamun, he didn’t realise he was sometimes taking “accidental stereos”, recently discovered by Jennifer Navratil.

Archaeologist Dr. Daniela Rosenow and photo historian Denis Pellerin will take you on a stereoscopic journey you will not easily forget.

Glasses will be provided for use during the talk.

Image credit: The Brian May Archive of Stereoscopy and The Griffith Institute.

 Speakers

Denis Pellerin is a photo historian from the Brian May Archive of Stereoscopy. 

Dr Daniela Rosenow is an Egyptologist from the Griffith Institute, University of Oxford. 

 Booking information

Booking is required for this event. Once you have booked your place, the ticketing system will send you an automated confirmation.

 Location

Sir Victor Blank Lecture Theatre, Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG

 Wheelchair access

The Weston Library is wheelchair accessible.

Acknowledgements

The Bodleian Libraries Learning Programme is generously supported by The Helen Hamlyn Trust: