[Robert Hannah]

Art Historical Context

This striking albumen silver print from the 1860s captures Robert Hannah in profile, a format that emphasizes the clean lines of his silhouette against a neutral background. Created by the London-based brothers John and Charles Watkins, the photograph exemplifies the carte-de-visite format that became wildly popular during the Victorian era. Measuring roughly 4 by 2½ inches, such intimate portraits were affordable, easily exchanged, and often collected in albums, allowing people to share likenesses in ways previously reserved for painted miniatures. Albumen prints like this one were the domin...

About the Artist

John and Charles Watkins · 1840–1875

**John and Charles Watkins: Pioneers of Victorian Portrait Photography** John Watkins (1823–1874) and his younger brother Octavius Charles Watkins (1836–1882) were prominent British portrait photographers whose collaborative studio captured the luminaries of Victorian Britain.) Born in Raglan, Monmouthshire, Wales, John began his career around 1840, establishing a studio at 34 Parliament Street i...