The Pencil of Nature

Step into the first public showcase of a brand‑new visual art, where pictures are created not by hand but by light itself. The collection presents a dozen striking plates – from the grand arches of Westminster Abbey and the quiet cloisters of Lacock to delicate leaves, glasswork and everyday objects like fruit pies – each rendered through the fledgling technique of photogenic drawing. The images capture the crisp detail and surprising depth of a medium still in its infancy, offering listeners a rare glimpse of the world as early photographers first succeeded in fixing it onto paper.

The author, who discovered the process a decade earlier while sketching along Lake Como, guides us through the triumphs and inevitable imperfections of this experimental craft. His reflective introduction explains the chemistry and optics behind the images, while also hinting at the potential for future refinement. As the narrative unfolds, you’ll feel the excitement of a pioneering moment when nature itself became the artist’s brush.