Title: Unveiling Florence Nightingale's Last Photos: A Heartfelt Glance into Her Later Years
Fancy bidding on some unique historical relics? Roseberys auction house has put up for sale a series of sepia-toned photos of the legendary nursing pioneer, Florence Nightingale. Taken by her companion, Eliza Francis 'Fanny' Pettit, the pictures show Nightingale in a relaxed pose, seated in a chair.
The tiny, 5.9 x 5.9 cm (2.3 x 2.3 in) images were captured around 1910, the same year Nightingale breathed her last at the age of 90. The photographer, Fanny Pettit, was Nightingale's significant other during her senior years.
"The family history behind these photos makes us believe that they might be the final portraits of Nightingale," Jack Wallis, an art expert at Rosebery Gallery, shared with CNN. Wallis confirmed that the photos, on display in the Florence Nightingale Museum in London, have been authenticated.
What sets these photos apart is their authenticity and candidness. They are unposed and informal, capturing periods in Nightingale's life as seen through the lens of a close friend. Wallis describes the images as, "personal and open, [showing] informal photos taken for posterity, to remember a beloved rector."
Born in 1820, Nightingale was a British nurse recognized as being the first woman to receive the Order of Merit for her efforts in treating wounded soldiers during the Crimean War (1853-1856). Known as "The Lady with the Lamp," she played a pivotal role in formalizing nursing education and founded the Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas' Hospital in London in 1860.
Every May 12th marks the International Day of Nursing, marking Nightingale's birthday – a fitting reminder of her tremendous impact on nursing and caregiving.
Apart from Nightingale's photos, other items up for auction include a travel teapot and a silver-plated tea measure gifted to Pettit by Nightingale herself, and an Elizabeth Bosanquet letter recounting the final days of Nightingale's life.
In her letter, Bosanquet asked Pettit to remember Nightingale's tranquil expression, noting, "She died peacefully yesterday afternoon at 2:00 PM, lying on her pillow just as she had done the previous night."
"It was very peaceful and compassionate, and people were grateful that she slept without pain," wrote Bosanquet. "Her immense influence will be of benefit to us all."
According to Roseberys, collections of this kind seldom reach the market, especially ones tied to a British historical icon like Nightingale. Priced between 15,000 and 25,000 pounds (19,000 to 31,000 USD), these cherished images offer a rare opportunity to deepen one's connection with this remarkable historical figure.
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The photographs capture Nightingale's unique flair for the arts, presenting an image of the nursing legend in a relaxed chair with a serene expression, mirroring her calm demeanor and devotion to nursing. The authenticity of these photographs adds to the allure of Nightingale's legacy, providing an intimate glimpse into her more personal moments.
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