A little over ten years after his ‘artistically adjusted’ Self-portrait as a drowned man, Bayard was rewarded for his efforts when he was commissioned by the Historic Monument Commission to record the architecture and history of France. Again his active mind was at work, and suggested that two negatives be used to create a better and more accurate image. One image was taken with the sky perfectly exposed, whilst the other was set to perfectly expose the buildings or landscape. This went on to be known as combination printing.
Despite his early setbacks, Bayard went on to achieve much more in his life, and eventually gained the deserved recognition in 1863 when he was awarded the cross of the French Legion d’honneur.
Hippolyte Bayard died of natural causes on 24th May 1887. Sadly his name will always be linked with his Drowned Man image. However, the work that he produced for the HMC is exquisite in its detail, and is immeasurably important as an historical record of the times.
I see! 