Aerial view near Providence, Rhode Island

On view

Photography

Aerial view near Providence, Rhode Island,

1860

James Wallace Black, 1825–1896; born Francestown, NH; died Cambridge, MA
x1979-116

“Miracle! I who all my life have professed a hatred of geometry that is equal only to my horror of algebra, I produce with the rapidity of thought plans . . . more perfect than the maps of the Ministry of War!” So declared the French photographer Gaspard-Félix Tournachon, better known as Nadar, who in 1858 became the first person to take an aerial photograph from a balloon. Nadar marvels at the ease and speed with which aerial photography could survey land, and he predicts the adoption of the novel technology for military and property surveyance. Black swiftly followed suit, partnering in 1860 with hot-air balloon pilot Samuel A. King to become the first to take an aerial photograph in the United States.

Information

Title
Aerial view near Providence, Rhode Island
Dates

1860

Maker
James Wallace Black
Medium
Albumen print
Dimensions
25.8 x 20.2 cm. (10 3/16 x 7 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Robert O. Dougan Collection, gift of Warner Communications, Inc.
Object Number
x1979-116
Place Depicted

North America, United States, Rhode Island, near Providence

Culture
American
Type
black-and-white photographs, albumen prints, albumen process, photographs
Techniques
albumen process
Subject
bird's-eye views, aerial photographs, balloons

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