David Livingstone
- Artist: Horatio Nelson King
- Date: 1860
- Medium: albumen carte-de-visite
- Dimensions: 3 in. x 1 7/8 in. (75 mm x 49 mm) image size
- Portrays: David Livingstone
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is “David Livingstone,” a small albumen carte‑de‑visite from the 1860s, measuring about 3 inches by 1¾ inches. The image captures his head and shoulders in gentle light, with his eyes looking forward. King’s fine ink detailing shows crisp lines on the face and the subtle shading that gives depth to the simple white background of the carte paper.
In the mid‑19th century, albumen prints were prized for their clarity, so this little portrait reveals the careful work of Horatio Nelson King, a photographer who produced over fifty portraits. The small size made it ideal for personal albums and social exchange.
David Livingstone (1813–1873) was a missionary and explorer; his likeness appears in many contemporary photographs. Here we see a brief, intimate glimpse into the face of a man whose travels shaped 19th‑century missions.
See it in person
David Livingstone is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
