Photograph of a full length portrait of the Viscount Canning (1812-62) standing, facing a quarter to the right. He gazes ahead, away from the camera, and places his right hand in his pocket. He wears a light colour shirt, dark colour bow tie, dark colour jacket, light colour trousers and dark leather shoes. He holds a top hat and cane in his left hand.

The photographer Disdéri patented his invention of the carte de visite, a small albumen photograph mounted on thick card. The carte de visite would become internationally famous.