Loading

Cut stereoscopic views of the 'Leviathan Telescope' of Lord Rosse at Birr Castle, Ireland

The Rt Hon. Mary Parsons née Field, Countess of Rosse (1813 – 1885), photographer1861

The Royal Society

The Royal Society
London, United Kingdom

Lady Rosse and her husband William Parsons, President of the Royal Society, were keen astronomers. Her first photographic endeavour was recording the huge telescope constructed at their home in Ireland. Completed in 1845 it remained the largest telescope in the world until 1915

Plate 24 figures 1-11 for the paper "On the construction of specula of six-feet aperture; and a selection from the observations of nebulae made with them", by William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, volume 151 (1861) pp.681-746. Reduced versions of images and cut stereoscopic views of the telescope arranged on a backing board for the engraver.

Although many of Lady Rosse's photographs were taken as stereo pairs, this layout prepared for publication in 1861 included only single images. It was not yet possible to print in greyscale or mass reproduce photographs, so the images which appeared in the final publication are engravings made by the artist James Basire.

Show lessRead more
  • Title: Cut stereoscopic views of the 'Leviathan Telescope' of Lord Rosse at Birr Castle, Ireland
  • Creator: The Rt Hon. Mary Parsons née Field, Countess of Rosse (1813 – 1885), photographer
  • Date Created: 1861
  • Location: Birr Castle, Birr, County Offaly, Ireland
  • Rights: The Royal Society, 2022
  • Medium: Stereograph
  • Catalogue Reference: PT/62/8/14
The Royal Society

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites