Cardinal Wiseman

A carte-de-visite portrait of Nicholas Patrick Stephen Wiseman (1802-1865), English cardinal.

When in 1850 Pope Pius IX restored the Roman Catholic hierarchy in England and Wales, Wiseman became the first Archbishop of Westminster and was made a cardinal. His flamboyant announcement of the event contributed to the so-called ‘Papal Aggression’ crisis of 1850-51, but by tact he was subsequently able to allay much of the rear and suspicion that had been aroused. He was criticized by Roman Catholics as well as Protestants for his Ultramontane views, his independent policies, and his attempts to impose Italian devotional life and practices in England. It is, however, generally acknowledged that he did much to organize and advance the cause of the Roman Catholic Church in England.

Photographed by Moira and Haigh of London.

According to the Photographic News (3 March 1865): 'We have received from Messrs Moira and Haigh a portrait of his eminence the late Cardinal Wiseman, for which he sat some months before his death. It is a capital portrait of the frank open genial face, so unlike the ideal type of a Roman ecclesiastic or ascetic priest. The Cardinal is in what, we presume, may be called full dress; sitting in his archi-episcopal chair, which was taken to the studio for the purpose, with his own crucifix by his side; in the background is seen a view of his own church in Rome, painted for the purpose. Thus great completeness and keeping of sentiment are obtained in the picture. As a photograph, it is exceedingly soft, delicate, and brilliant; and as a picture, it is one of the most perfect we have seen produced by the camera.'