COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

The fact that the photograph can show more than the eye can see and that the image is not filtered through the brain of a man and put down by the skill of his hand has given it value as evidence. Its apparent accuracy made it irreplaceable medium when representation of the past is involved; hence its exceptional importance for the museums of history.

The rich collection of photographs in the Historical Museum of Serbia allows not only specific but also comprehensive insight into Serbia, through a lens in a camera, for over century-and-a-half long history of photography.

Systematic collecting of photographs began as soon as the Museum was established and was supported by the most eminent experts in history and technology of photography. The documentary quality of a photograph was the first and most important criteria for its acquisition. Thus the collection comprises portraits of distinguished figures that had marked the Serbian history, science and culture as well as the records of important events, sceneries of the people, places, and buildings. Careful researcher is offered a series of precious data recorded by a photograph: development of urban places, economy, natural beauties, and changes in human’s dress as well as details associated to fashion.

Anastas Jovanovic, Captain Misa Anastasijevic, 1850

Talbotype, partially colored, positive

Dim. 16.5x20.7 cm

Inv. no 2272

The abundance of the collection, which has over 10.000 items, also allows deeper insight into development of photographic techniques. Examples of the first daguerreotypes are very rare in Serbian museums and there is only one such photograph in the Historical Museum. However, later techniques, including calotype (Talbotype), wet collodion and dry plate processes, tintype or ferrotype and celluloid roll film, are much more represented.

While the author of the mentioned daguerreotype remained unknown, the oldest photographs of the collection were taken by Anastas Jovanovic. Among them are 14 talbotype negatives and several stereographs (double pictures).

Anastas Jovanovic, Residence of Prince Milos

in Kragujevac, c. 1860

Stereograph, positive

Dim. 8.3x16.3 cm

Inv. no 1651

The collection also includes the photographs of the first traveling photographers as well as those taken in well-known photograph ateliers in Serbia. Particularly worth of attention are photographs taken by the court photographer Milan Jovanovic, Djordje Stanojevic, famous Serbian physicist and inventor, then of Andrй-Adolphe-Eugиne Disdйri and Gaspard-Fйlix Tournachon, a Parisian writer, editor, and caricaturist who used the pseudonym of Nadar. The photographs with the signature of the court ateliers in Vienna and Istanbul are also represented. Authenticity of photography, shared by no other picture-making technique, makes it unavoidable source not only for multidisciplinary studies but also for museum exhibitions.

Dragisa M. Stojadinovic, Retreat of the Serbian army across Albania 1915

Positive, dim. 24x18 cm

Inv. no 6804