Anne Dixon (1799–1877)

Anne Dixon began her career as a photographer in the 1840s, when photography was a relatively new and experimental medium. She initially worked with the calotype process, in which photographic negatives were created on paper coated with silver iodide. This process allowed multiple prints to be made from a single negative, making photography more accessible and affordable.

Dixon's photographs were primarily portraits of her family and friends, as well as landscapes and architectural studies. Her style was characterised by simplicity and naturalism, with a focus on capturing the essence of her subjects without embellishment or artifice.

Despite her relative obscurity today, Dixon was recognised as a talented and innovative photographer during her lifetime. Her work was exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, which showcased the latest advances in science, technology and the arts.

Dixon continued to work as a photographer until her death in 1877, leaving behind a legacy of images that provide an insight into the life and culture of mid-19th century England. Her contributions to the field of photography have been largely overlooked by historians, but her work remains an important part of the history and development of the medium.