Background

The Lippmann process is one of the most interesting examples of early colour photograph technology. Unlike most others, but no less complex than other colour techniques around 1900, it does not use dyes or pigments to refer to the colours of an object, but still delivers real and very permanent recording of light and its “true” colour. This is interesting not only for the expert in the field of early colour photography but also for the general lover of early photography and photo history. Today, only a few institutions and collectors worldwide have original examples of these rare colour images in their possession. This fact has not so much to do with the fragility of the object as with its practical use and application at the time of its origin. However, because of the special properties in terms of the technique itself, its presentation form, and its requirements for viewing, there is a clear need for additional awareness about this medium in the field of both history of photography and photograph conservation, with special attention to the long-term preservation of this photographic material. Preus Museum – the National Museum of Photography in Norway – has a collection of twelve Lippmann colour plates, together with objects and papers related to these photographs.