In the Footsteps of Henry Taunt
6 October 2007 - 20 January 2008
Kirkham Gallery
Henry Taunt was one of Victorian England’s most prolific photographers. His maps and guides, illustrated by beautiful photographs of the Thames, played a major role in developing the Victorians’ love of the river and its related activities including rowing, camping and steamer trips. Books such as ‘Three Men in a Boat’ or ‘The Wind in the Willows’ might never have been written, or certainly would not have achieved such popularity, were it not for his albums, postcards, lectures and detailed and enthusiastic descriptions of the Thames from its Cotswold source to London.
Digital photographers Jeff Robins and Graham Diprose were inspired by Taunt’s first photographic guides to the river from the 1870s and 80s and set out to find many of his finest views of the Thames and to recapture them photographically some 125 years later.
In the 19th century Taunt’s photography used the cutting edge techniques of the time and Diprose and Robins have used the very latest digital imaging technology today.
This exhibition shows 30 pairs of archivally printed images, approx 12”x 16” (30cm x 40cm) in size showing views of the river from Thames Head to Westminster taken by Taunt c125 years ago and by Robins and Diprose recently.
Visit the dedicated In the Footsteps of Henry Taunt website
See some of the images on the BBC London website
Hear Graham Diprose talk about the photos on the BBC Radio 4 Excess Baggage site
In the footsteps of Henry Taunt has been supported by English Heritage and Oxfordshire County Council.