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Eugénie, Empress of France

10 of 28 portraits of Eugénie, Empress of France

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Eugénie, Empress of France

by Disdéri
albumen print, circa 1859
3 3/8 in. x 2 in. (85 mm x 52 mm) image size
Given by Bettina Harden, 2015
Photographs Collection
NPG Ax196522

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Disdéri (1819-1889), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 220 portraits.

Placesback to top

Events of 1859back to top

Current affairs

Formation of the first Liberal cabinet, following the dissolution of Parliament in light of the Liberal and opposition member Lord Russell's introduction of a resolution arguing for widening the franchise, carried because the Conservatives, the ruling party, only have a minority. Palmerston holds a meeting of Whigs, Peelites and Radicals, from which the Liberal Party is formed, and the Queen later invites him to become Prime Minister.

Art and science

Charles Darwin's The Origin of the Species is published, in which he sets out his theory of evolution based on the process of natural selection, species mutation, and survival of the fittest.
The engineer Joseph Bazalgette begins work on constructing the London sewerage system, following the 'Big Stink' of the preceding summer. Bazalgette's system, now extended, continues to serve London.

International

Outbreak of war between an alliance of France and Italian nationalists, and Austria. Napoleon III signs an armistice with Austria. However, pressure from Britain, supporting Italian unification to counterweight French and Austrian influence, leads to success for Italian nationalists.
The first oil well is drilled in America, after Edwin Drake's discovery in Titusville, Pennsylvania, transforming a quiet farming region into Oil Creek.

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Drew Milne

01 May 2021, 21:35

Spotted what seems to be a photo from the same Disderi shoot, dated 1860, in an ebay listing, but with very revealing differences in gesture and dress, a little bit more informal and more obviously suggesting a kind of glance backwards and a hint of Vermeer: I missed the opportunity to purchase it, but thought it might be of interest.