PH Emerson: The man, his works and his place in the history of photography

Born in Cuba, of American origins, PH Emerson (1856–1936) was a controversial figure in the world of Victorian photography. While producing exquisite photographic books, mostly of life on the Norfolk Broads, he also became embroiled in the debate raging at the time, as to whether photography was an art.

Sensationally, he changed his mind on this subject, publishing a black-bordered pamphlet entitled The Death of Naturalistic Photography in which he stated: ‘I have… I regret it deeply, compared photographs to great works of art, and photographers to great artists. It was rash and thoughtless, and my punishment is having to acknowledge it now’.

Emerson’s place in the firmament of photographic aristocracy is undisputed: he has been exhibited around the world including at The National Media Museum, The British Library and The Getty Museum in Los Angeles. He has had many books written about him (including one for which Stephen Hyde provided the Introduction) and his photographs command sky-high prices.

In this talk, Emerson’s great-grandson Stephen Hyde, himself a photographer based in London, will explore:

◦ His photography (with illustrations)
◦ The man and his place in family and public life
◦ His position in the debate on photography as art
◦ Stephen’s pilgrimage to Emerson’s birthplace in Cuba
The talk will be followed by a Q&A