[Sir William Boxall] 1860s

This is a carte de visite, a type of photograph popular in the mid-19th century, depicting Sir William Boxall. Taken by John and Charles Watkins in the 1860s, the photograph shows Boxall in a formal portrait, captured in a studio setting. The image, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the life of a prominent figure during a time when photography was rapidly gaining popularity as a medium for capturing likeness. The photograph's small size and composition are characteristic of the carte de visite format, which became a way for individuals to share images of themselves with family and friends.