James Spedding c. 1893

This portrait of James Spedding, a scholar and editor of the works of Francis Bacon, was created by the British photographer Henry Herschel Hay Cameron circa 1893. The photograph is a striking example of Cameron's talent for capturing the likeness and personality of his subjects. The image is in profile, with Spedding's face illuminated in soft, natural light. The detail of the beard and hairline adds depth to the composition, while the focus on Spedding's thoughtful expression reveals the intellectual depth of the subject. The portrait is now held in the collection of The Art Institute of Chicago.