Idea - Photographs in Enamel

ARTICLE

James Doran’s article discusses the emergence of the enamel process in the middle of the nineteenth century, and how it was quickly replaced by snapshot cameras and prints on paper. He explains the invention of the process and also how to make the prints.

Doran, James. "Fused Photographs in Enamel." Glass on Metal. Thompson Enamel

     Inc., Apr. 1994. Web. 6 Feb. 2011. <http://www.glass-on-metal.com/

     pastart/photographic-doran.htm>.

QUOTES 

“Then, as if to answer some Bourgeois cry for enamel miniatures, a process emerged whereby photographic portraits of loved ones could be immortalized in enamel.  These were not fuzzy reproductions like those seen in old newspapers, but were exquisitely detailed, subtly shaded, genuine photographic prints fused permanently onto enamel (or onto porcelain and glass, for that matter).”

Doran, James. "Fused Photographs in Enamel." Glass on Metal. Thompson Enamel

     Inc., Apr. 1994. Web. 6 Feb. 2011. <http://www.glass-on-metal.com/

     pastart/photographic-doran.htm>.

“Thousands of portraits on enamel for home viewing were made well into the beginning of the previous century. Perhaps 99% of the enamel photographs made today are displayed as memorials on cemetery monuments.”

"Enamel Photography." Enamellers - Beschrijving van diverse technieken. N.p.,

     1985. Web. 6 Feb. 2011. <http://www.enamellers.nl/

     tech42.php?a=enamel_photography>.

Sealing photographs in enamel is yet another way of solidifying an image.  It seems as if this technique requires a more exact concentration on each step than photo etching does.  After researching the topic, I have found that I am currently more interested in the photo etching.  This process is a more exact representation of the photograph, it is just covered with a solid case.  Although, I am intrigued by the idea that these photographs that are made today are mainly used as memorials on cemetery monuments, especially since I have been working with old family photographs.  Yet, I still really like the idea of the process of etched metal, although I would still like to experiment in order to get an actual, educated opinion.

http://www.enamellers.nl/tech42.php?a=enamel_photography