A Master of Miniature and Light
Henry Collen was an English miniature portrait painter and photographer born in London, United Kingdom. A pupil of the painter Sir George Hayter at the Royal Academy Schools, Collen trained as a miniaturist and won a Royal Academy Silver Medal in 1821. His skill in the medium led to his appointment as "Miniature Painter to Her Majesty" for Queen Victoria following her accession in 1837. During the 1830s, he was personally acquainted with the young Princess Victoria, serving as her drawing teacher and miniature portrait painter.
In the 1840s, Collen transitioned into the burgeoning field of photography. In August 1841, he became the first professional calotypist in London, establishing a studio at 29 Somerset Street, Portman Square. His photographic portraits were unique because he often used his artistic training to touch up the images with paint, creating a hybrid style that bridged the gap between traditional miniature painting and the new art of photography.
Scientific and Historical Contributions
Beyond portraiture, Collen engaged with the scientific advancements of his era. He collaborated with the astronomer John Frederick William Herschel and interacted with inventor Francis Ronalds regarding photographic processes. Collen was also involved in the production of photographic copies of the Treaty of Nanking in 1842. Working on Christmas Day, he produced copies of the four-foot-long document, which was significant enough to be hung at Buckingham Palace.
Collen's professional life was marked by several notable associations:
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