Search the Collections

W. & D. Downey (active 1855-1940)

Artist associated with 786 portraits
William Downey set up the company with his brother Daniel. They opened their first studio in 1863 on Eldon Square, Newcastle. In 1872 William moved to London to open a studio on Ebury Street, while his brother continued to look after the Newcastle branch. Among Queen Victoria's favourite photographers, the firm photographed at Balmoral and Frogmore throughout the late 1860s, particularly for the Prince of Wales. Their carte-de-visite portrait of the Princess of Wales with Princess Louise was one of the most popular ever issued, with sales of 300,000. William Downey's son, William Edward Downey, acted as operator for most royal sittings of the Edwardian era.

List Thumbnail

P22(2)

Group of fifteen, including Queen Victoria

by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 25 May 1868
NPG P22(2)

P22(3)

The Gillies Ball, 1868

by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 25 May 1868
NPG P22(3)

P22(8)

Princess Beatrice of Battenberg

by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1868
NPG P22(8)

P22(4)

John Brown; Queen Victoria

by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1868
NPG P22(4)

P22(9)

John Brown

by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1868
NPG P22(9)

P22(5)

King Edward VII

by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1868
NPG P22(5)

P22(25)

John Grant

by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1868
NPG P22(25)

P429

Thomas Henry Huxley

by W. & D. Downey
carbon print, 1890 or before
NPG P429

P420

King Edward VII

attributed to W. & D. Downey
sepia-toned platinum print, 1908
NPG P420

x19150

John Alexander Kinglake

by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, circa mid-late 1850s
NPG x19150

x12861

John Arthur Roebuck

by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, late 1850s-early 1860s
NPG x12861

Ax8651

Frederick Doulton

by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax8651

x13263

Charles Pelham Villiers

by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG x13263

Ax8666

Charles Pelham Villiers

by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax8666

x12611

Thomas O'Hagan, 1st Baron O'Hagan

by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG x12611

x21665

George Percy, 5th Duke of Northumberland

by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1860
NPG x21665

Places
London
Tyne and Wear