[Erskine Nicol] 1860s

This carte de visite photograph, taken by the Watkins brothers in the 1860s, depicts the Scottish painter Erskine Nicol. The image captures a close-up view of Nicol’s head and shoulders, showcasing his signature long beard and intense gaze. As a prominent figure in the Victorian art scene, Nicol specialized in genre painting, depicting scenes from everyday life, particularly those portraying the lives of ordinary people. This photograph, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, serves as a powerful testament to his legacy as a skilled artist and observer of human nature.