Daguerre's Diorama

[Daniela]

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to attend a talk on Daguerre's Diorama (and had no clue as to what it was!). I learned about his past as a painter, scenic designer and savage entrepreneur (much to the disgust of the presenter, who kept criticizing him for it )
Today, I visited the last diorama he ever made in Bry sur Marne, inside a church which was actually modified to house it. The canvas measures 6 by 5 meters. It's a trompe l'oeil painting of a Gothic choir.
I have attached some bad cellphone pictures, but here's a brief video showing the diorama, how it works and Daguerre's work: https://museedebry.fr/#/video-daguerre/en

Church


Diorama behind the altar


View of the church from Daguerre's villa, where he spent his last years. The house wasn't open to visits, but his lab burned to the ground a long time ago, so I'm not sure it'd be interesting to see anyway.
I heard there are a few dioramas left around the world, so I'll make it a point of visiting them whenever I have the chance.

 

[jtk]

Fascinating video. How did you make it? I've tried to forward to a friend but apparently cannot.

 

[markjwyatt]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

 

[runswithsizzers]

Thank you Daniela, I enjoyed the video.

 

[Daniela]

Fascinating video. How did you make it? I've tried to forward to a friend but apparently cannot.

Actually, it was made by the local museum. Try this link: https://museedebry.fr/#/homepage-daguerre/en
You can choose to visit an interactive presentation or the video

 

[cowanw]

Wonderful. I have been trying to see this as well as the area around Chalon-sur-Saône, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce's hometown. Twice I have tried the later to be foiled by poor timing and closures.

 

[Daniela]

Wonderful. I have been trying to see this as well as the area around Chalon-sur-Saône, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce's hometown. Twice I have tried the later to be foiled by poor timing and closures.

Keep trying! I visited Niépce's house in Chalon around 10 years ago. It's small but the lab is still standing (behind a glass) and you can stand at the window from where he shot "Window at Le Gras". I didn't get to visit the museum, though. Hope you can get to it!

 

[Mike Crawford]

There was a Diorama set up in London too which Daguerre was involved in. The building still has the Diorama name on it. Info here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diorama,_Regent's_Park

 

[Daniela]

There was a Diorama set up in London too which Daguerre was involved in. The building still has the Diorama name on it. Info here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diorama,_Regent's_Park

Awesome! Too bad it's just the building left.
Some people at this presentation spoke of dioramas still on display in the Netherlands and DC, but I can't find any info online.

 

[gone]

It's unfortunate that he lost everything in a fire I believe. All of his meticulous written records, nearly all of his actual works, etc. He was a genius, and a talented artist and inventor.

 

[mshchem]

Pretty neat, dioramas are getting scarce.