[EUGÉNIE de Montijo, Empress] W&D Downey

[EUGÉNIE de Montijo, Empress] W&D Downey

Portrait of Empress Eugenie by W&D Downey, period albumen print
[London, c. 1871], CDV format
Photographer’s credit on verso, some tiny imperfections

Elegant portrait of the Empress, with a melancholic gaze

This portrait was taken around 1871, about a year after the arrival of the imperial family in the United Kingdom, forced into exile after the disastrous defeat of Sedan.
The Empress appears in a bust, seated three-quarters to the right, with melancholic and pensive gaze, a fan in her hand.

A rather uncommon print, in good overall condition.