Carte photographique de la lune, planche IV.A (Photographic Chart of the Moon, plate IV.A)

September 13, 1900, printed 1914

Charles le Morvan

Associated Names
Charles Le Morvan

Artist, French, 1865 - 1933

This is a photograph of the surface of the Moon covered with craters. The photograph shows a rugged lunar landscape with a myriad of craters of varying sizes scattered across the surface. The texture is stark and detailed, highlighting the pockmarked terrain shaped by impacts over time. The lighting accentuates the shadows within the craters, providing depth and dimensionality to the image. The overall tone of the photograph is monochrome, emphasizing the natural features of the Moon without the distraction of color. This image provides a scientific and observational view of the Moon’s surface.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    photogravure

  • Credit Line

    Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund

  • Dimensions

    image: 31.1 × 25.5 cm (12 1/4 × 10 1/16 in.)
    plate: 38.9 × 29.5 cm (15 5/16 × 11 5/8 in.)
    sheet: 31.1 × 25.5 cm (12 1/4 × 10 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2018.22.1.28

  • Portfolio Title

    Carte photographique et systématique de la lune (Photographic and Systematic Chart of the Moon)

Associated Artworks

See all 48 artworks

Carte photographique de la lune, planche I (Photographic Chart of the Moon, plate I)

Charles Le Morvan

1909

This is a printed cover page from a publication titled "Carte Photographique et Systématique de la Lune" by M.C. Le Morvan. The cover features bold, large lettering and includes diagrams of the moon's phases, which are divided into sections labeled with Roman numerals. The text indicates the publication is a heliogravure process by L. Massard and is supported by the Académie des Sciences in Paris. It is dated MDCCCCXIV, which corresponds to the year 1914. The overall design is formal and informative, with a focus on astronomical content, likely intended for scientific or educational purposes.

Carte photographique et systématique de la lune (Photographic and Systematic Chart of the Moon)

Charles Le Morvan

1914

This is a photograph of the surface of the Moon. The image displays a detailed capture of the lunar surface, showcasing a landscape dominated by craters of varying sizes, some overlapping while others stand isolated. The texture of the lunar surface is rugged and uneven, revealing variations in shading that indicate the depth and contours of the terrain. The monochrome palette emphasizes the contrast between the cratered regions and the smoother plains. The arrangement and density of the craters suggest a heavily impacted surface over millions of years. The photograph includes text annotations detailing specific coordinates and technical information.

Carte photographique de la lune, planche II (Photographic Chart of the Moon, plate II)

Charles Le Morvan

1902

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Rick Watson, London); NGA purchase, 2018.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2019

  • By the Light of the Silvery Moon: A Century of Lunar Photographs, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2019 - 2020, unnumbered catalogue.

Inscriptions

top center in plate mark typed in black ink: CARTE PHOTOGRAPHIQUE DE LA LUNE / Par C. Le Morvan; top left: Facteur d’Agrand t. 6,0; top right: PL.IV.A; across bottom: 1900 Septembre 13 14 h 39m 57s T.M. de Paris Négatif Obtenu au Gd. Equatorial Coudé de l’Observatoire de Paris Diamètre lunaire 1m, 03; bottom center: LIMITES { EN LONG. 5° E à 25° 0. / EN LAT. 25° à 90° S. / Héliog. L. Massard. Paris.

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