Fading Away

photograph by Robinson

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June 26, 2026

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"Fading Away" is a significant photograph created in 1858 by Henry Peach Robinson, a prominent English photographer known for his Pictorialist style. This work, a composite image made from five different negatives, depicts a young girl peacefully dying while surrounded by her grieving family.12

Robinson's technique of combining negatives aimed to achieve painterly effects, aligning with the Pictorialist movement's goal of elevating photography to an art form. However, "Fading Away" sparked controversy, as some critics felt that photography's literal nature was ill-suited for such a sensitive and painful subject. Despite the debate, the photograph brought Robinson considerable fame and established him as a leader in the Pictorialist movement.12

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Henry Peach Robinson
In 1858 Robinson exhibited Fading Away, a picture skillfully printed from five different negatives. This work depicted the peaceful death of a young girl surrounded by her grieving family. Although the photograph was the product of Robinson’s imagination, many viewers felt that such a scene was too painful to…
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In 1858 Robinson exhibited Fading Away, a picture skillfully printed from five different negatives. This work depicted the peaceful death of a young girl surrounded by her grieving family. Although the photograph was the product of Robinson’s imagination, many viewers felt that such a scene was too painful to…
Read More