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In pictures

Peter Henry Emerson's rural photography

In the late 19th century, rural Britain was captured beautifully by photographer Peter Henry Emerson. Emerson was well-known for his naturalistic style of photography and for promoting photography as a form of artistic expression for the first time.

The Claymill

Two men working in a farm field with their back to the camera, a horse standing besides them.
Date
1887

This photograph was taken in 1887 by Peter Henry Emerson, a photographer and writer famous for promoting photography as an artform. Many of his photographs depict nature, rural scenes and ways of life in a naturalistic style. This example depicts a clay mill and was published in an album titled Pictures of East Anglian Life in 1888.

This photograph is held at The National Archives because it forms part of a record of copyright registration. Emerson registered the photograph for copyright protection on 10 February 1887, and to do so he sent a copy of the image and a form to the Stationers' Company. These images and forms now form part of The National Archives' collection in record series COPY 1.

In a Mangold field

Seven people bent over working in a farm field alongside two horse and cart.
Date
1885

Emerson published this photograph in a book of studies of agriculture in 1887, titled Pictures from Life in Field and Fen. It depicts a group harvesting Mangolds, which are root vegetables, and Emerson presents the scene a with a dramatic composition contrasting sky and field. Emerson registered this photograph for copyright protection on 1 September 1885, and in the registration form he gave it the description 'In a Mangold field'.

Norfolk Cottages

A row of thatched white cottage with hay bales dotted outside.
Date
1887

Emerson was known for his naturalistic approach to photography. This unusual panoramic photograph shows a row of cottages in Norfolk in 1887. This photograph was registered by Emerson for copyright protection on 19 April 1887, and then published in an album titled Pictures of East Anglian Life in 1888.

Osier Peeling

Three women working outside a cottage all standing. A man, head bent, head sits in the distance.
Date
1887

This Emerson photograph depicts a group of women peeling bark from willow (or osier) branches. Here Emerson was working to create honest snapshots of everyday rural life. The photograph was one of a set published for the 1888 Pictures of East Anglian Life album.