November 18, as today’s GoogleDoodle reminds us,is the 224th birthday of photography pioneer Jacques-Louis-Mand Daguerre.
In addition to being an artist, inventor, and Scorpio, Daguerre was a Dogster who subscribed to the “Living with Dogs” lifestyle.
Like any good photographer, Daguerrefocused onhis friends andfamily members toperfect his”instantaneous” portraits — daguerreotypes — andhiscooperative subjectsincluded his beloved dog, Mdor (pictured above).
In a letter to fellow photo pioneer Isidore Nipce, dated9 July, 1837, Daguerre wrote:
“I thank you, my dear Isidore, for the gingerbread that you gave us for our little Mdor. I am convinced that he will be very grateful to you for thinking of him, and that, at the very next opportunity, he will devour you with kisses.”
(That’s my translation;to readthe original quote en franais, go here.)
Aw! Happy Birthday, Daguerre!
