The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Tales of Terror

Arthur Batut, one of photography’s pioneer practitioners (particularly aerial photography), produced this composite portrait of his family by carefully layering the exposures of each individual member. I’m not sure whether this was done in-camera (on the film) or later on, in the printing process. Either way, it was no mean technical accomplishment for the time, and presupposes a deep understanding of the possibilities and limitations of the new medium.
The result is a ghostlike image of a face in transformation, which, coupled with the period clothing, makes it a compelling visual metaphor for the main character – or should I say characters – in Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous tale.

Curiosly, Batut’s photo calls to mind Alvin Langdon Coburn’s Vortograph of the poet Ezra Pound, made 30 years later.

To view a book cover with Coburn’s Vortograph, click here.