The Dayspring from on High
As a young amateur photographer, Keighley was strongly affected by the work and writings of Henry Peach Robinson. His early work followed in the tradition of Robinson's sharply focused scenes, but as his own voice developed, it became clear that Keighley's strength was in the creation of atmosphere. He often accomplished his pictorial goal by enlarging his negatives in several stages and working on details of the negative at each interval. This produced rich, carbon prints that swell with evocations of natural experience, as in this photograph. Early morning light envelops the scene from above, cradling the viewer in warmth and the soft vegetation of the woodland surroundings. Such strong emissions of mood are the hallmark of Keighley's photography, which earned him a leading position and much adulation in the Linked Ring Brotherhood.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Dayspring from on High
- Artist: Alexander Keighley (British, 1861–1947)
- Date: 1890s–1900s
- Medium: Carbon print
- Dimensions: Image: 49.3 x 32.4 cm (19 7/16 x 12 3/4 in.)
- Classification: Photographs
- Credit Line: Gift of Clarence McK. Lewis, 1954
- Object Number: 54.549.20
- Curatorial Department: Photographs
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.