A rare carte de visite of painter William Holman Hunt (1827-1910) by Julia Margaret Cameron (Cox & Ford no. 687). Photographed June 30, 1864.

CdV photographs by Cameron are very rare. The craze about this presentation (cartomania) was over when she published them. Only a handful were made of each one (Thanks to Alex Novak for this information). She made these small prints to promote her larger prints. Cameron also put together several photo albums using these CDVs as a portable portfolio.

The painter William Holman Hunt, who was associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement, was portrayed by Julia Margaret Cameron wearing Oriental-style garb. A double echo of the artist's fascination with the Orient - which can be seen in his paintings and illustrations - and his bohemian taste for clothing that was at odds with typical Victorian dress. Fifteen years later, Hunt would paint himself clad in this costume when he executed a self-portrait, see last image for reference.
[from "Capturer la beauté", Jeu De Paume].

Although without the copyright of Cameron under the print, this is unmistakably hers. Also written in fountain pen in an unknown hand 'Sir John Herschel, Célèbre astronome Anglais'
The albumen print is in overall good condition with good tonality. Some discoloration and spots typically caused by the gilt border.

CDV: 8,2 x 5,5 cm
ca. 1867

Literature:
Julian Cox, Colin Ford et all, Julia Margaret Cameron: The Complete Photographs, Los Angeles, Getty Publications, 2003, p. 328.
The Pre-Raphaelite Lens, British photography and painting, 1848-1875, National Gallery of Art 2010. Plate 55, p. 112.

👉 This CDV is part of the Bazar Nadar "History Class Collection".
Based on these unique images, we will tell you about the origins of the medium during workshops.