[Thoughtograph, or Psychic Photograph]

Art Historical Context

In the late 19th century, a surge of fascination with spiritualism and the occult, Charles Lacey's *Thoughtograph, or Psychic* (1894–98) captures the era's blend of science and mysticism. This small-scale work, measuring approximately 4 x 3 inches, was created using albumen and gelatin silver printstwo pivotal photographic processes. Albumen prints, popular since the 1850s, offered rich tonal depth from egg-white emulsions, while gelatin silver, emerging in the 1880s, allowed for sharper detail and easier production, marking photography's shift toward modernity. The title reveals its intrigui...