Inscribed heliogravure without retouch offered to my friend Jerome Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur by the author Regnault, 1857

This rare test from an early photogravure process was made by Thomas-Casimir Regnault. This photoengraver not to be confused with Henri-Victor Regnault (see below) – was a contestant in the Duke de Luynes Competition, but was eliminated having not clearly provided the details of his process. Sylvie Aubenas of the Bibliothèque nationale confirms that this is the Regnault who submitted to the Duc de Luynes. (LA LUMIERE index refers to a T.E. REGNAULT & Luyne’s Prize refers only to M. Regnault), T. C. Regnault, 2 Rue Louvois, Paris. Virtually no other known prints exist by Regnault.

Steel engraving. The resin grain is quite coarse.

Henri-Victor Regnault pwas a founding member of the Société héliographique in 1851, he also served as the founding president of the Société Française de Photographie in 1854. A chemist and professor of physics, he directed the Sèvres Manufactory from 1852 until 1871 and established a photographic department there. He eventually gave up photography to support and promote the promising painting career of his son, Alex-Georges-Henri. His son was killed in the Franco-Prussian War, which also destroyed Regnault’s laboratory at Sèvres. (Getty)