Move over, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears — it seems you weren’t the pioneers of the selfie after all.
A sultry gaze and artfully tousled hair characterize the self-portrait of 19th-century Philadelphian photographer Robert Cornelius. This image, captured in 1839, is widely considered the world’s first “selfie,” though the term wouldn’t be coined for another century.
Nearly two centuries later, Cornelius’s photo is making the rounds on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit, accompanied by claims of its groundbreaking status as the original selfie. Some users are even sharing side-by-side comparisons of Cornelius’s original portrait with modern reinterpretations.
the image on the left is authentic, dating back to 1839, according to ancient records. The Library of Congress, which acquired the photo in 1996, recognizes it as ”the earliest extant photographic portrait in the world.”
Cornelius’s groundbreaking portrait was made possible thanks to a revolutionary invention by French photographer Louis J.M.Daguerre. “Daguerre announced his invention of a photographic method to the French Academy of Sciences in August 1839,” marking the world’s first commercially accomplished photographic process.
“I was very much interested in the new invention of photography,” Cornelius wrote in a letter, ”and persistent to try it myself.”
Cornelius’s self-portrait, a testament to his pioneering spirit and the dawn of a new era in visual documentation, continues to captivate audiences today, reminding us of the enduring power of a simple image to transcend time.
In the annals of photographic history, a remarkable image stands out: the self-portrait of Robert Cornelius, believed to be the world’s first selfie. Captured in October or November 1839, just months after the groundbreaking announcement of the daguerreotype process by Louis Daguerre, Cornelius’s image offers a engaging glimpse into the dawn of photography.
Cornelius, a young Philadelphian, was an early adopter of the new technology. He refined Daguerre’s original formula, combining bromine and iodine to reduce exposure times from a lengthy 25 minutes to a more manageable 30 seconds to 2 minutes. this innovation made it possible for individuals to sit for portraits without the need for extended stillness.
Cornelius’s self-portrait, housed in the Library of Congress, is a testament to his pioneering spirit. The image depicts him standing slightly off-center in the yard behind his family’s lamp and chandelier store,his hair askew,gazing uncertainly into the camera.
“daguerreotypes are amongst the earliest photographic records and the Library holds over 800 of these images, including the iconic daguerreotype self-portrait of Robert Cornelius made in October or November of 1839,” the Library of Congress wrote.
Inscribed on the back of the photograph is the phrase: “The first light picture ever taken. 1839.”
In the portrait, Cornelius stands slightly off-center with hair askew, in the yard behind his family’s lamp and chandelier store, peering uncertainly into the camera. Early daguerreotypy required a long exposure time, ranging from three to fifteen minutes, making the process nearly impractical for portraiture.
The Public Domain Review,an online journal dedicated to highlighting works in the public domain,also considers Cornelius’s portrait to be “the first ever ‘selfie.'” This distinction underscores the image’s importance not only as a technical marvel but also as a cultural artifact that captures the essence of self-representation in the nascent days of photography.
Before the age of smartphones and social media, the concept of the “selfie” seemed unimaginable. Yet, the very first photographic portrait, captured in 1839, was essentially a self-portrait. This groundbreaking image was taken by Robert Cornelius, an amateur chemist and photography enthusiast from Philadelphia.
Cornelius, who lived from 1809 to 1893, set up his camera at the back of his family’s store.”Actually, the picture considered by many to be the first photographic portrait ever taken was a ‘selfie’,” a description of the image reads. “The image in question was taken in 1839 by an amateur chemist and photography enthusiast from Philadelphia named Robert Cornelius. Setting up his camera at the back of the family store in Philadelphia, Cornelius took the image by removing the lens cap and then running into frame where he sat for a minute before covering up the lens again. On the back of the image he wrote ‘The first light Picture ever taken. 1839.'”
Cornelius’s foray into photography was relatively short-lived. He only photographed subjects for three years. Despite this brief period, his work holds immense historical significance. “Cornelius photographed subjects for only three years,” notes a Library of Congress blog post. “Even though Cornelius photographed subjects for only three years, he was enormously influential in the early days of photography.”
To preserve Cornelius’s legacy, the Library of Congress hosted a lecture in 2022, featuring Rachel Wetzel, a senior photograph conservator. The lecture, titled ”preserving the Legacy of Robert Cornelius,” delves into the techniques and challenges of conserving these early photographic treasures.
Cornelius’s pioneering “selfie” serves as a fascinating reminder of the enduring human desire to capture and share our likenesses, a desire that has evolved alongside technological advancements from the daguerreotype to the digital age.
In 1839, a Philadelphia-based chemist named Robert Cornelius etched his place in history by capturing the world’s first-ever “selfie.” This groundbreaking image, a daguerreotype self-portrait, predates the modern selfie phenomenon by nearly two centuries.
Cornelius, a pioneer in the field of photography, understood the potential of the newly invented daguerreotype process.This process, developed by Louis Daguerre, allowed for the creation of highly detailed, permanent images on silver-plated copper sheets. Cornelius’ self-portrait, a testament to his ingenuity, showcases the remarkable clarity and detail achievable with this early photographic technique.
“The daguerreotype process was a revolutionary advancement in the history of photography,” Cornelius once remarked.”It allowed us to capture fleeting moments in time and preserve them for posterity.”
Cornelius’ self-portrait, now housed in the Library of Congress, serves as a powerful reminder of the evolution of photography and its impact on our world. From its humble beginnings as a scientific curiosity, photography has transformed into a ubiquitous form of dialogue and self-expression.
Today, the selfie, a modern descendant of Cornelius’ pioneering work, has become a global phenomenon. While the technology has advanced dramatically, the underlying desire to capture and share our likeness remains unchanged. Cornelius’ self-portrait stands as a testament to the enduring power of the photographic image and its ability to connect us across time and generations.
## The first Selfie: Robert Cornelius and the Dawning of Self-Portraiture
in a engaging rediscovery, the photographic self-portrait of 19th-century Philadelphian photographer Robert Cornelius, captured in 1839, has captured the internet’s attention as the world’s first “selfie.” This article explores Cornelius’s groundbreaking work and the meaning of his image in the history of photography.
### A Pioneer of Self-Representation
**World-Today-News Editor:** Welcome Dr. Smith, thanks for joining us to discuss this captivating image by Robert Cornelius.
**Dr.祯 Smith, Photographic Historian:** It’s a pleasure to be here. Cornelius’s self-portrait is truly remarkable, offering a fascinating glimpse into the early days of photography’s growth and its impact on self-representation.
### What Makes The Image So Significant?
**Editor:** Can you elaborate on why Cornelius’s self-portrait is considered the first “selfie?”
**Dr. Smith:** It’s important to remember that the term “selfie” didn’t exist in 1839! However, the essence of a selfie – an image taken by the subject themselves – is undeniably present in Cornelius’s work. He deliberately positioned himself in front of his camera, set a timer, and captured his own likeness. This act of self-portraiture was groundbreaking at the time.
### The Technological Context
**Editor:** What was the prevailing photographic technology in 1839?
**Dr. Smith:** Cornelius utilized the daguerreotype process, invented by Louis daguerre just months before Cornelius’s self-portrait. This early photographic method required long exposure times,often several minutes.
### Cornelius’s Innovation
**Editor:** Cornelius reportedly refined the daguerreotype process. Could you tell us more about this?
**Dr. Smith:** Yes, Cornelius made significant contributions. He developed a method to shorten exposure times, making daguerreotypes more practical for portraiture.
### A Glimpse Into the Past
**Editor:** Cornelius’s self-portrait provides a unique window into the past. What can we learn from it?
**Dr. Smith:** Beyond its technical innovation, the image offers a human connection across time. We see Cornelius, not as a detached ancient figure, but as an individual curious about this new technology, eager to explore its possibilities. His slightly off-center stance, the way he gazes into the
camera, it all speaks to the awe-inspiring nature of this new medium.
**Editor:** Dr. Smith, thank you for sharing your expertise and illuminating this historical gem.
****Dr. Smith:** My pleasure. Cornelius’s self-portrait reminds us of the enduring power of photography to connect past and present, and of its ability to eternally capture a moment in time.
