Louis Daguerre

NAME Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre

WHAT FAMOUS FOR 

Louis Daguerre is famous for inventing the daguerreotype, the first practical photographic process.

BIRTH Born on November 18, 1787, in Cormeilles-en-Parisis, a small town near Paris, France.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Louis Jacques Daguerre was born to Louis Jacques Daguerre and Anne Antoinette Hauterre. Raised in a middle-class household, his family relocated to Orléans during his childhood. His father, a known royalist, even named one of Daguerre's sisters after Queen Marie Antoinette during the turbulent French Revolution.

CHILDHOOD Daguerre's interest in art and design became apparent at a young age.

EDUCATION Daguerre's formal education was somewhat limited due to the political upheaval of the time. However, he displayed a natural talent for drawing from a young age. At thirteen, he began an apprenticeship with a local architect. Recognizing his son's artistic potential, his father encouraged further study, arranging for Daguerre to apprentice with Pierre Prévost, the pioneer of panoramic painting, in Paris at the age of sixteen.

CAREER RECORD Daguerre began his career as a stage designer for the Paris Opera, known for his innovative and spectacular scenery. Daguerre worked there on theatrical illusions and dioramas. 

In 1829, he partnered with inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce to develop a photographic process. After Niépce’s death, Daguerre continued their work, culminating in the invention of the daguerreotype in 1837.

Daguerre spent his final years in Bry-sur-Marne, having retired there in 1840. He continued to be active in his profession even in retirement, painting diorama tableaux for local churches

APPEARANCE Daguerre possessed a distinctive appearance. He had a head of curly hair and bright, "shiny" eyes. 

In his self-portrait daguerreotype, he is seen wearing a vest with visible creases, and his hands appear sinewy. He sported a carefully manicured beard and accessorized with a wide-brimmed hat and stylish foulards.

Interestingly, some accounts describe Daguerre's later-life appearance as "subversively defiant" and "disarmingly modern," with his style even being compared to that of a contemporary hipster by some observers.

Portrait of Louis Daguerre 

FASHION He adhered to the fashionable styles of the mid-19th century, often seen in tailored suits.

Daguerre wore a wide-brimmed hat and also wore debonair foulards (a type of necktie or scarf). 

CHARACTER Daguerre is described as a meticulous and dedicated scientist, driven to perfect his photographic process. He was also known for his artistic talent and innovative spirit.

SENSE OF HUMOUR  Daguerre’s contemporaries noted his charm and wit during social gatherings.

RELATIONSHIPS DeGuerre married Louise Georgina Smith in 1810. At the time of his marriage, Daguerre was still developing his career as an artist and theatrical designer. Their relationship supported his creative pursuits, though they lived a relatively private life.

MONEY AND FAME Following the announcement of the daguerreotype on January 7, 1839  to the French Academy of Sciences, Daguerre achieved widespread fame and financial security. The French government awarded him an annuity of 6,000 francs annually.

MUSIC AND ARTS Daguerre began his professional career at the Opéra de Paris as a set designer, mentored by I. E. M. Degotti. He also showcased his dancing skills by working as a stage extra.  

His talents extended beyond set design, as he became a renowned lighting director for several Parisian theaters. 

Daguerre gained a significant reputation for his innovative stagecraft, particularly his ability to create breathtaking theatrical scenery, especially atmospheric landscapes and captivating night effects.

LITERATURE He inspired the first photography magazine, the Daguerreian Journal, published in New York in 1856

NATURE His dioramas often featured natural scenes, showcasing his appreciation for landscapes and light effects.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Daguerre enjoyed painting and designing theatrical sets, which were both his profession and hobby.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Daguerre’s invention of the daguerreotype required a deep understanding of chemistry and optics.

Daguerre viewed photography as a harmonious fusion of science and art. He firmly believed that the most valuable scientific instruments were those that simultaneously inspired artistic endeavors. This philosophy underpinned his development of the daguerreotype, which he saw as both a scientific breakthrough and a powerful artistic medium.

INVENTIONS Now, Louis Daguerre – that was a fellow who really knew how to capture the moment. You see, before Daguerre came along, if you wanted a picture of yourself, you were pretty much stuck with a grumpy-looking portrait painted by some guy who probably smelled of linseed oil. But Daguerre changed all that. He invented this thing called the daguerreotype, and let me tell you, it was a sensation.

Imagine, if you will, a perfectly polished silver plate – like a tiny mirror. Daguerre figured out how to make this plate sensitive to light, then popped it in a box with a hole in it (they called it a camera, fancy that!). After a bit of fiddling around with some nasty-smelling chemicals – iodine, bromine, mercury fumes, the lot – you'd end up with a picture. A real, honest-to-goodness picture!

It was revolutionary, absolutely revolutionary. Before the daguerreotype, pictures were rare, precious things. But now, suddenly, anyone could have their likeness captured for posterity. And the detail! You could see every wrinkle, every freckle, every stray hair. It was incredible.

Of course, Daguerre wasn't just a one-trick pony. He also dabbled in these things called dioramas – basically, giant, immersive paintings with clever lighting that made them seem to come alive. And he was a bit of a tinkerer with cameras too, always trying to improve them, make them smaller, make them see further.

So, the next time you snap a selfie with your phone, spare a thought for Louis Daguerre. He's the reason you can even do that. The man was a true visionary, a pioneer, a… well, a bit of a whiz with a camera, if you ask me."

View of the Boulevard du Temple, taken by Daguerre in 1838 in Paris

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Daguerre's exploration of light in photography carried a distinct spiritual undertone. His famous exclamation, "I have seized the light – I have arrested its flight!" suggests a quasi-divine power in capturing the ephemeral nature of light. Moreover, his use of putti (cherub-like figures) in his still-life compositions symbolically linked his work to Phaëthon, the Greek god of light.

Christian themes also subtly emerged in Daguerre's later work. In 1842, he created his final diorama for the Church of St. Gervais-St. Protais at Bry. Furthermore, he had plans to paint another religious diorama, depicting a cavalry, for the church at Perreux shortly before his death in 1851.

Daguerre's work and the broader cultural context of 19th-century France reveal a worldview that seamlessly integrated scientific innovation, artistic expression, and elements of Christian tradition.

POLITICS Daguerre was not politically active but benefitted from the French government’s patronage.

SCANDAL No major scandals are associated with Daguerre’s life.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS The process of creating daguerreotypes involved working with chemicals such as mercury vapor, which could have had potential health risks. However, he lived to the age of 63, which was notable for his time.

HOMES Daguerre resided in Paris, where he conducted much of his work, including experiments with photography.

In 1840, Daguerre retired to Bry-sur-Marne, a small town about 7 miles outside of Paris He purchased a large property across the street from the church of Saint-Gervais-Saint Protais de Bry.

TRAVEL Daguerre traveled within France, particularly between Paris and Châlon-sur-Saône, where Niépce was based.

DEATH Louis Daguerre died on July 10, 1851, in Bry-sur-Marne, France of a heart attack.

He is Interred in the cemetery at Bry-sur-Marne. The grave became a point of interest, with images of it circulating as early as 1900.

Daguerre's name is one of the 72 names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower, recognizing his significant contributions to French culture and science. 

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA The documentary The Birth of Photography explores the early history of photography, highlighting Daguerre’s invention of the daguerreotype and its impact on the world.

BBC's The Genius of Photography, a series about photography's history and its pioneers, including a segment on Daguerre.

 Daguerre’s daguerreotypes are often included in museum collections, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Musée d'Orsay.

ACHIEVEMENTS Invented the daguerreotype. His invention was gifted “free to the world” by the French government on August 19, 1839. 

Daguerre's work laid the foundation for modern photography.