Unveiling the Treasures of the Lewis Morley Archive

The Lewis Morley Archive offers a deep dive into the prolific career of a legendary photographer whose lens captured the essence of iconic personalities. This article updates on the exciting progress of organizing and cataloging this extensive collection filled with photographic treasures.

Understanding the Lewis Morley Archive

The collection consists of 103 boxes that encompass an array of materials, originally unsorted and unpreserved. Housed in non-archival packaging, the archive posed challenges in accessibility and preservation. The overarching aim is to reconfigure the archive into functional arrangement, improve storage materials, assign unique reference numbers to items, and develop an accessible online catalogue for researchers.

The Cataloguing Journey

Initiating the cataloguing process begins with a comprehensive project plan detailing necessary tasks and timelines. This plan also outlines collaboration with colleagues and executing various steps to ensure the archive’s safety. A preliminary inventory of materials allows the team to create a box list—a foundational step before preparing a detailed catalogue.

Box listing involves populating a spreadsheet with initial details about the contents of each box, guiding decisions on the arrangement of the archive based on material types. This task also highlights potential data protection issues, noting the extent and dates of materials while documenting the locations of each box. Currently, key information has been captured from approximately 65 boxes, marking significant progress towards a complete, accessible catalogue.

Remarkable Findings Among the Morley Treasures

The archive is a treasure trove, featuring a plethora of materials including correspondence, exhibition materials, photographic prints, negatives, and more. Here’s a glimpse of some standout elements from this extraordinary collection.

Negatives

Among the rich offerings, the collection reveals a wealth of negatives, many of which are original works from the 1960s. Morley’s preference for black and white photography is evident, although he experimented with color film occasionally. The negatives come neatly arranged in folders alphabetically, often paired with illustrative prints to provide a quick overview of the content. Additionally, some books feature contact prints showcasing all images from each shoot, spanning themes like portraits, fashion, and reportage, particularly in London and Paris.

Contact Prints

Morley’s career flourished in the 1960s, capturing numerous rising stars as the official photographer for The Establishment Club and the Royal Court Theatre. His early contact prints illustrate the rapid pace of a working photographer, showcasing hastily arranged negatives and annotated contacts that were often cut for ease of use. These prints were critical for promotional materials across various theatre companies.

Photographic Proofs

The collection also encompasses proof versions of photographs in small spiral-bound books organized by theme. These proofs facilitated Morley to showcase a portfolio of his work in an easily accessible manner, allowing clients to select images for reproduction or gallery displays. Many images are marked with annotations detailing dates and descriptions, enriching their historical context.

Polaroids and Polaroid Transfers

Upon relocating to Australia in the 1970s, Morley transitioned into fashion and interior photography for notable magazines. His retirement years were spent exploring hobbies, leading to experimentation with Polaroid photography, including the fascinating technique of Polaroid transfers. This method allows an image from a Polaroid print to be transferred onto various materials through a simple soaking process, providing additional creative avenues.

Stay tuned for future updates featuring insights into specific items related to 1960s artist and model Pauline Boty, a popular subject of Morley’s portraits. Each cataloguing step further unveils the artistic legacy contained within the Lewis Morley Archive, shedding light on his enduring impact.

Slutsats

The treasures within the Lewis Morley Archive highlight a remarkable journey through art and history. With photographic evidence of cultural moments and influential figures, this collection not only celebrates Morley’s legacy but also offers an engaging narrative that reflects a pivotal time in photography. Even the most compelling reviews can’t replace the power of personal experience; readers are invited to discover the rich landscape of travel experiences available through verified providers at reasonable prices on GetExperience.com. This platform empowers you to make informed decisions while ensuring maximum satisfaction without breaking the bank. Don’t miss out—GetExperience.com offers an array of experiences waiting to be explored!