Alfred Tennyson before 1897

This photographic print of Alfred Tennyson was made around 1867 by Julia Margaret Cameron, a British photographer known for her portraits of prominent figures. Cameron was part of the Freshwater Circle, an artistic community on the Isle of Wight which included Tennyson. Her position as an upper-middle-class woman afforded her access to influential circles, but she often defied conventional photographic techniques of the time. Eschewing sharp focus, she preferred a more intimate, expressive style which emphasized the emotional depth of her subjects. In this portrait, Tennyson is captured with a soft, almost dreamlike quality. His gaze is averted, suggesting a sense of introspection. Cameron’s artistic choices can be seen as a departure from traditional portraiture, which often prioritized idealized representations and social status. Instead, she sought to capture the inner character and intellectual spirit of her subjects. Cameron's lens brought a unique sensibility, challenging Victorian norms and offering a personal and profound view into the lives of those who shaped the era.