Photograph by Roger Fenton. In 1853, the British Museum asked Fenton to document parts of their collection as their official photographer. He went on to take many photographs of classical busts, skeletons, Assyrian tablets and other works of art. Fenton was a founding member of the Royal Photographic Society and one of the most influential photographers of the 1850s. He is best known as one of the first war photographers, from his work in the Crimea in 1855. However, he also took many highly-regarded photographs of the Royal Family as well as many superb landscapes, architectural studies and still lifes.

Engraving showing some miserable bearded men being threatened with a whip as they row. Above and below are Greek and Roman coins, some with portraits of emperors and some representing abstract ideas. Illustration from an 18th century edition of 'Historiae naturalis' (Natural History) by Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD), published in Paris in 1723. The 1469 edition was the first important printed book in science, and encyclopedia of many subjects, revered for over fifteen centuries. It was claimed to be one of the most influential books ever published.

Engraving showing some miserable bearded men being threatened with a whip as they row. Above and below are Greek and Roman coins, some with portraits of emperors and some representing abstract ideas. Illustration from an 18th century edition of 'Historiae naturalis' (Natural History) by Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD), published in Paris in 1723. The 1469 edition was the first important printed book in science, and encyclopedia of many subjects, revered for over fifteen centuries. It was claimed to be one of the most influential books ever published.

Photograph by Roger Fenton. In 1853, the British Museum asked Fenton to document parts of their collection as their official photographer. He went on to take many photographs of classical busts, skeletons, Assyrian tablets and other works of art. Fenton was a founding member of the Royal Photographic Society and one of the most influential photographers of the 1850s. He is best known as one of the first war photographers, from his work in the Crimea in 1855. However, he also took many highly-regarded photographs of the Royal Family as well as many superb landscapes, architectural studies and still lifes.

Photograph by Roger Fenton. In 1853, the British Museum asked Fenton to document parts of their collection as their official photographer. He went on to take many photographs of classical busts, skeletons, Assyrian tablets and other works of art. Fenton was a founding member of the Royal Photographic Society and one of the most influential photographers of the 1850s. He is best known as one of the first war photographers, from his work in the Crimea in 1855. However, he also took many highly-regarded photographs of the Royal Family as well as many superb landscapes, architectural studies and still lifes.

Section of a room with Greek ornaments, published by Matthias Darly. Ink on paper. England, 1770.

Cameo of MRS MARY SOMERVILLE in the Greek style.