Photographic glimpse of 19th century France

Charles Negre courtesy Hans P. Kraus Jr. Fine Photographs

French photographer and artist Charles Negre began taking pictures in 1844, just five years after photography was invented. This month, the first ever solo show of Negre's work in the U.S. will be exhibited at Hans P. Kraus Jr. Fine Photographs in New York.

The show will feature 40 photographic prints, including 10 extremely rare salt prints with their original paper negatives.

In this image, "The port at Toulon," salt print from glass negative, ca. 1853

"Le petit ramoneur" (The little sweep), salt print from a waxed paper negative, Dec. 1851

Negre created portraits of Paris's child laborers, such as this young chimney sweep, who commonly worked under brutal conditions in the city in the 19th century.

"Le tailleur de pierre" (The stonecutter), salt print from a glass negative, summer 1853

"Portrait of a bearded man, Grasse," salt print from waxed paper negative, ca. 1852 -1855

"Man in top hat in the courtyard of 21 Quai de Bourbon, Paris," waxed paper negative, ca. 1849 - 1851.

"Man in top hat in the courtyard of 21 Quai de Bourbon, Paris," coated salt print, ca. 1849 - 1851.

"Notre-Dame, Paris," salt print from waxed paper negative, ca. 1853

"Notre-Dame, Paris," Waxed paper negative, ca. 1853.

"Une rue a Grasse," waxed salt print from a waxed paper negative, 1852

"Saint-Honorat des Alyscamps, 'Arles'" Waxed paper negative, 1852

"View from the banks of the Rhone, 'Arles,'" salt print from waxed paper negative, 1852

"View from the banks of the Rhone, 'Arles,'" waxed paper negative, 1852