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George Washington Wilson

(1823-1893), Photographer

Artist of 22 portraits
Began his career as a portrait miniature painter, but started using photography in the late 1840s. By 1852, he was offering his sitters a photographic alternative to the painted portrait. In 1853 John Hay and Wilson established the partnership of Wilson and Hay, Photographers. This partnership was short-lived, but secured the important patronage of Queen Victoria, who commissioned them to make a record of the building of Balmoral Castle. Wilson first photographed the Queen in 1855. He went on to pioneer techniques for photography outside of the studio and the mass production of photographic prints. At the time of his death his photographic business was estimated to be the largest in Britain.

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Mrs Grant, by George Washington Wilson - NPG P22(19)

Mrs Grant

by George Washington Wilson
albumen print, 1857
NPG P22(19)

Peter Farquarson, by George Washington Wilson - NPG P22(18)

Peter Farquarson

by George Washington Wilson
albumen print, 1860
NPG P22(18)

Tammie Gow, by George Washington Wilson - NPG P22(20)

Tammie Gow

by George Washington Wilson
albumen print, 1861
NPG P22(20)

John Stirling, by George Washington Wilson - NPG Ax14928

John Stirling

by George Washington Wilson
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax14928

John Murray, by George Washington Wilson - NPG x126859

John Murray

by George Washington Wilson
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s-1870s
NPG x126859

John Brown; Queen Victoria, by George Washington Wilson - NPG x197188

John Brown; Queen Victoria

by George Washington Wilson
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG x197188

Thomas Guthrie, by George Washington Wilson - NPG x76466

Thomas Guthrie

by George Washington Wilson
albumen carte-de-visite, late 1860s
NPG x76466

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