Identity area
Reference code
TAA iii.31
Title
Date(s)
Level of description
File
Extent and medium
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
British archaeologist and photographer. Born, Stamford 1879. Died, Asyut 1940. Began his photographic career in Florence with the art historian R. Cust. He was then engaged as a excavator at Thebes by Theodore Davis between 1910-14. Then from 1914 onwards he worked for the rest of his career as a photographer for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. His task was to record many of the royal and private tombs at Thebes. Between 1922 and 1933 he was lent by the Metropolitan Museum to Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter to make a photographic record during the excavation of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
From the collection of Mr Francis Waring Robinson (1912-1977), Curator of Ancient and Medieval Art at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, Michigan, USA. Presented by Mr William H. Peck, retired Curator of Ancient Art at the same institution, in April 2015.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
- Photographic prints:
- 'The canopic chest of alabaster, Tutankhamen's tomb', made from Harry Burton negative in Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York [= Burton photograph P1153].
- 'The canopic chest opened, showing portrait busts of Tutankhamen', made from Harry Burton negative in Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York [= Burton photograph P1158].
- 'Thebes – Tut Ankh Amen's tomb in the Valley of the Kings', Lehnert & Landrock, Cairo, no. 1740.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Property of the Griffith Institute. No restrictions.
Conditions governing reproduction
- Copyright Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
- Copyright Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
- Reproduction may be sought from the Griffith Institute, University of Oxford.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Burton negatives, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Harry Burton produced two sets of negatives: one for Howard Carter, this set is now in the Griffith Institute, University of Oxford, the second set was produced for Burton's employer, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Burton took two consecutive photographs of everything he photographed during the excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb. In most instances, the corresponding negatives in Oxford and New York appear identical, although subtle differences can be detected between the two sets.