Artwork
A portrait of 'Hon H. Bourke'
A portrait of 'Hon H. Bourke' is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The image is a carte‑de‑visite portrait produced in 1870 by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company. It presents Hon. H. Bourke in a full‑length pose, standing before a plain wall with a potted plant to his right. He wears a fur‑trimmed coat and a hat, his gaze directed sideways, and his hands are clasped in front of him.
Subject & Meaning
Hon. H. Bourke is shown in attire that suggests both the practical needs of a cold environment and a marker of social standing. The fur‑lined coat and formal hat convey a sense of wealth and rank, while the simple backdrop and modest plant introduce a subtle contrast between personal status and an unadorned interior.
Technique & Style
The photograph follows the carte‑de‑visite format, a small, album‑friendly print popular in the mid‑19th century. Executed by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, the image displays the crisp tonal range typical of wet‑collodion glass negatives, with careful lighting that highlights the subject’s clothing texture against a neutral background.
History & Provenance
Originally part of the Windsor Collection, the portrait was housed at Windsor Castle before being catalogued by Royal Librarian Owen Morshead, who served from 1926 to 1958. Its inclusion in the collection underscores the portrait’s association with the British aristocracy and the era’s practice of circulating personal images through cartes‑de‑visite.
Artist & collection
Artist
London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company
They snapped portraits for London’s theater crowd in the 1800s, turning actors and dancers into instant celebrities.
