---
title: The Earliest Photograph by Niépce
author:  Joseph Nicéphore Niépce
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17208/the-earliest-photograph-by-niepce/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2023-04-18
---

# The Earliest Photograph by Niépce

_Authored by  Joseph Nicéphore Niépce_

## Image File

[![The Earliest Photograph by Niépce](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17208.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17208.png)

## Image Caption

The oldest surviving photograph, taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce (1765-1833) in 1826 using a camera obscura. The photograph (then known as a heliograph) is titled *View from the Window at La Gras*. Nièpce's innovation was to permanently capture the image projected through the lens onto light-sensitive [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/) chloride-coated paper.

## External Links

- [First Photograph Ever to Oldest Photograph of the Moon, A Look at History](https://mymodernmet.com/first-photograph-photography-history/)
- [The First Photo Ever Taken And The Story Behind It](https://allthatsinteresting.com/first-photo-ever-taken)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Niépce, . N. (2023, March 20). The Earliest Photograph by Niépce. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17208/the-earliest-photograph-by-niepce/>
### Chicago
Niépce, Joseph Nicéphore. "The Earliest Photograph by Niépce." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 20, 2023. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17208/the-earliest-photograph-by-niepce/>.
### MLA
Niépce, Joseph Nicéphore. "The Earliest Photograph by Niépce." *World History Encyclopedia*, 20 Mar 2023, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17208/the-earliest-photograph-by-niepce/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ni%C3%A9pce_Heliograph_1827_Le_Gras.jpg) by [ **Joseph Nicéphore Niépce**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ni%C3%A9pce_Heliograph_1827_Le_Gras.jpg). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 20 March 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.