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Front of Photograph
Laura Eliza Wilson
Front of Photograph
Front of Photograph

Laura Eliza Wilson

Photographer (Alvah, Banffshire, Scotland, 1823 - 1893)
Sitter (1862 - 1942)
DateSeptember 1864
Object NamePhotograph
Mediumalbumen; paper; ink; card
ClassificationsPhotography
DimensionsOverall: Height: 6.4 cm, Width: 10.2 cm
AcquisitionPurchased in 1987 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions, the National Art Collections Fund, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and with income from the Ramsay-Dyce Bequest.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS025778
About MeThis photograph is of George Washington Wilson’s daughter Laura Eliza Wilson at two years old in September 1964.

Laura is seen here sitting on a table, it is quite common to see small children in early studio portraits standing on seated on furniture. Elevating children like this meant that the photographer would not have to adjust the height of their equipment as much in between clients.

Laura’s father George Washington Wilson is the most iconic photographic pioneer to come out of Aberdeen. We hold a wide range of images taken by his photographic company.


This format of photograph is known as a carte de visite. Cartes de visite were the earliest form of affordable photography and were incredibly popular during the Victorian era when millions of them were produced every year. This popularity was fuelled by Queen Victoria herself who amassed large collection of photographs which she kept in specially made albums.

Exhibitions