Fotoreproductie van een prent door Augustin Bridoux van de Madonna dei Candelabri door Rafaël before 1869

This is a silver print of the Total Solar Eclipse of December 1880, created from negatives by S. W. Burnham, and printed by Joseph Cundall. This image encapsulates a pivotal moment in the history of scientific exploration and photographic technique. During the late 19th century, solar eclipses were significant events, offering scientists rare opportunities to study the sun's corona. The expeditions to capture these events were often collaborative endeavors. Burnham's negatives, expertly printed by Cundall, transform a fleeting astronomical event into a tangible object. The print signifies more than just a scientific record. It reflects the cultural values placed on progress, knowledge, and the human capacity to comprehend and document the natural world. Moreover, it marks the shift in photography as not just a tool for documentation but a medium through which one could explore and capture the sublime. The choice to create a silver print underscores the aesthetic considerations of the time, as the printmaking process imbues the photograph with a certain depth and luminescence, enhancing its visual impact. The photograph serves as a meditation on the relationship between humanity and the cosmos.