Russian Types

Born in Edinburgh, Carrick was raised in Kronstadt, the port of Saint Petersburg, Russia, where his family operated a successful timber business. In 1859, he opened a photographic studio in Saint Petersburg, specializing in portraiture. Between commissions, he made portraits of the merchants and artisans - tinsmiths, knife-grinders, icemen, street musicians, and droshky drivers - who walked the city's main thoroughfare, the Nevsky Prospect, selling their goods and services. Carrick's "Russian Types" were intended principally for the tourist market and belong to a well-established tradition of depictions of "Cries" - street vendors who announced their wares with shouts and calls.