Brett Payne's Victorian & Edwardian
Photograph Collection
Index to Victorian & Edwardian
Photographers & Photographic Studios

"An account of Derby without the mention of Mr. W.W. Winter, the foremost of its photographers, would be as incomplete as the proverbial play of Hamlet with the part of the Prince of Denmark omitted, "by particular desire." The Alexandra Studios, of Midland Road, are as much an institution in the ancient borough as the Royal "Crown" Procelain Works, Mr. Bass' palace of literature, science and art, the Arboretum, or the Town Hall itself. Mr. Winter's ornate galleries are within a couple of minutes' walk from the Central Station, where converge the main lines of the Midland, the London and North Western, and the North Staffordshire Companies; while the tram-car service brings the Great Northern Terminus in easy proximity. This ready access to Mr. Winter's ateliers affords the stranger passing through Derby, and waiting for a connecting train, a pleasant place of resort in which to turn his forced leisure to agreeable account. This graceful treasure-house of Art covers a large area, and comprises several elegant reception rooms, perfect operating apartments, a picture gallery of fine proportions, and the various departments devoted to manipulating and printing processes. In addition to these are picture framing and gilding departments. On the opposite side of Midland Road is a branch shop which was, indeed, the nucleus of the present unique establishment; and where, in the days of the mystery of sun-picturing was in its infancy, Mr Winter succeeded to the business of the late Mon. Charles. That is about thirty years ago. Since then so art or science has made more remarkable progress than photography. The vast development of the important discovery which Daguerre and Isidore Niepce were fortunate enough to bring within the range of practicability, to the splendid results obtained in England by Colonel Waterhouse, Captain Abney, Wortley, Simpson, Herschel, and others; in France, by MM. Gadicke and Miethe, and in Germany, by Dr. Eder and Dr. Vogel, furnishes a romantic record, both as regards theory and practice. Mr. Winter has kept himself well abreast of all these advances. He has treated photography as something more than a trade or profession; and his well-earned reputation, and fashionable client�le, have been acquired by his devotion to the cherished Art in all relations to its scientific improvement."

"That Mr. Winter excels in portraiture cannot be denied, for the number of prize medals of the most coveted classes which have been awarded to him in this particular branch afford abundant testimony to his surpassing successes, and at once disarm criticism. These portraits are distinguished by exquisite softenss, delicacy, and beauty, by a nice precision of touch, and by an innate artistic attention to every minute detail, selection of pose, and skill in chiaroscuro. Mr. Winter has achieved some notable triumphs in instantaneous photography by rapid lenses and special plates. These have every claim to be regarded as finished Art productions. Indeed, each example of his work aims to be a photo-picture. In platino-type, Mr. Winter exhibits chef d'oeuvres of the highest excellence. His landscapes are characterised by a mastery of lineal proportion, aeriel perspective, transparency of shadow, and breadth of tone and feeling. His frost studies are technically very good, and the "shots" he had at the Queen and the myriad crowd at Derby on her Majesty's visit to the town on the 21st of May, 1891, are in every respect successful, for individual faces come out distinctly from a throng of many thousands of loyal subjects. This is all the more commendable when it is taken into consideration that the atmospheric conditions were most unfavourable, that there was a movement of the horses of the troops, and that the wind affected banners and bunting. Inspecting and admiring Mr. Winter's studios, one cannot fail to be struck by the special attention he has bestowed on genre, or artistic studies - photographs that supply an incident, or tell a story, sometimes humourous, sometimes pathetic. In these clever objective studies he is decidedly sui generis, and none but himself in this direction is his own parallel. There is nothing showy or meretricious in these careful transcripts of human life and character, for Mr. Winter believes the old axiom, "Ars est celare artem." Mr. Winter warmly recognises the relation between photography and painting - his father was a painter of repute - and his annual Fine Art Exhibitions at his own rooms have for some years past been an annual feature in the life of Derby. Open alike to professionals and amateurs, stimulated by liberal prizes, these competitions have been of a most pleasing character, and have received the imprimatur of the peerage and the people, the praise of both the aristocracy and the aspiring artist. To the artisitic instinct, and the nervous intellectual temperament, Mr. Winter joins business capacity of a rare order, and the talent of using his undeniable abilities. He possesses wonderful practical and administrative power, and his energy is indomitable."

"Although his business is so extensive, demanding a staff of twenty-five professional assistants, none of Mr. Winter's commissions are done by deputy ; for every picture, from the now humble carte-de-visite to the more popular cabinet, or the more elaborate enlargement, passes through his hands for approval; and to this immediate personal supervision may be attributed the fact that no faulty work leaves the establishment. A thoroughly representative man in Derby, he enters into church and municipal affairs with ability, experience and zeal. There is no more respected member of the Town Council, and he has commemorated his connection with the Corporation by presenting to the town, for the enrichment of the Guildhall, life-size and permanent portraits of successive Mayors of Derby, three of whom, during the last few years, have received the honour of knighthood, and one the distinction of a baronetcy. This municipal picture gallery will, in the course of time, become of historic value. Mr. Winter has been awarded no less than 57 medals during the past eight years; they represent 10 nationalities, 30 different cities and towns, and 48 separate exhibitions where he has met foemen worthy of his steel."