Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour 1860s

This anonymous carte de visite portrait of Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, is a fine example of early photographic portraiture. The image shows Cavour in a formal pose, wearing a dark suit and a waistcoat. The photograph is framed in a simple mount with the artist's name and address printed at the bottom. Created in the 1860s by an unknown photographer, this small-scale photograph is a testament to the increasing popularity of portraiture in the 19th century. Carte de visite portraiture became popular in the mid-19th century and allowed for the mass reproduction of small portraits. These images served as mementos of the sitter and were often collected and exchanged by individuals.