John Thomson
(1837-1921), Photographer and travel writerArtist associated with 77 portraits
For ten years between 1862 and 1872 Thomson travelled in the Far East, establishing portrait studios in Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as recording the topography and ethnography of Cambodia and China, which earned him the nickname 'China Thomson'. Thomson is now best known for his pioneering work of social documentation, published in monthly parts, with texts by Adolphe Smith, of portraits of London tradespeople, Street Life in London (1877). Thomson subsequently operated fashionable portrait studios in London, the last being operated in partnership with his son, John Newlands Thomson. Twenty-two of the plates in the Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball (1897) album are by Thomson.
Jane Maria (née Grant), Lady Strachey
by John Thomson
platinum print on card mount, 1870s
NPG x38528
by John Thomson
albumen print, circa 1885
NPG x9043
by John Thomson
platinum print on card mount, circa 1886
NPG x13142
by John Thomson
platinum print on card mount, circa 1886
NPG x13143
by John Thomson
platinum print on card mount, circa 1886
NPG x13159
by John Thomson
platinum print on card mount, circa 1886
NPG x13158
by John Thomson
platinum print on card mount, late 1880s
NPG x13105
by John Thomson
platinum print on card mount, 1888
NPG x15500
by John Thomson
photogravure, early 1890s?
NPG x6409
by John Thomson
platinum print, 1890
NPG x193215
Alexandra, Empress of Russia (née Princess Alix of Hesse and by Rhine)
by John Thomson
albumen cabinet card, circa 1890
NPG x74485
by John Thomson
albumen cabinet card, 1896
NPG x3807
by John Thomson
albumen cabinet card, 1896?
NPG Ax5557
by John Thomson, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, published 1910 (1896)
NPG x196447
Violet Manners, Duchess of Rutland as Mary Isabella, Duchess of Rutland after Cosway
by John Thomson, photogravure by Walker & Boutall
photogravure, 1897; published 1899
NPG Ax41217
Ellen Constance ('Nellie') Needham (née Baldock), Countess of Kilmorey as Countess du Barri
by John Thomson
platinotype on card mount, 1897
NPG x131289
Count Albert Mensdorff-Pouilly-Dietrichstein as Henri III, King of France
by John Thomson, photogravure by Walker & Boutall
photogravure, 1897; published 1899
NPG Ax41018
Louisa Jane (née Hamilton), Duchess of Buccleuch as Elizabeth, Duchess of Buccleuch
by John Thomson, photogravure by Walker & Boutall
photogravure, 1897; published 1899
NPG Ax41088
Katharine Mary (née Montagu-Douglas-Scott), Viscountess Hampden as Marie Stuart
by John Thomson, photogravure by Walker & Boutall
photogravure, 1897; published 1899
NPG Ax41089
Lady Constance Anne Cairns (née Montagu-Douglas-Scott) as a Shepherdess
by John Thomson, photogravure by Walker & Boutall
photogravure, 1897; published 1899
NPG Ax41090
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