Preservation of Sigfús Eymundsson's 19th century early prints

At lunchtime most Tuesdays, the National Museum of Iceland offers various events such as film screenings, guided tours and lectures.

Þórir Ingvarsson, conservator of photography, discusses the original prints of Sigfús Eymundsson's photographs from the perspective of the history of photographic technology and the main aspects of preserving 19th-century photographic prints.

Sigfús Eymundsson worked as a photographer in Iceland for over two decades in the second half of the 19th century, from 1866. He ran a photography studio under his own name until 1909, but for the last 25 years in collaboration with his brother-in-law Daníel Daníelsson.

The materials used to produce photographs during the years that Sigfús practiced photography, are in many ways different from those that took over around the turn of the century and were dominant throughout the 20th century.

The material structure of photographs from this time will be discussed, what should be kept in mind when handling such images, and how best to preserve them long term.

Some of Sigfús's original prints from the 19th century can be seen in Einar Falur Ingólfsson's exhibition Conversing with Sigfús - In the Footsteps of Sigfús Eymundsson in the Bogasalur of the National Museum until March 22, 2026.

A museum ticket is needed for entry to the event. Please note that a ticket is equivalent to an annual pass to the museum.