Photographic portrait of the actor Barry Sullivan

Circa 1863. Albumen print photograph, carte de visite format, 104 x 63 mm, verso with imprint of 'Davies & Co., Photographers, 91 & 94 Bourke St. East, Branch Offices No. 5, Collins St. West, 3 doors from Elizabeth St., Melbourne', and contemporary inscription 'Bennett, Bourke Street' [possibly identifying William Davies' staff photographer], the albumen print extremely sharp and with a rich tonal range, the mount with a mild amount of toning.

Renowned English Shakespearian actor and theatre manager Barry Sullivan (1821-91) performed on the Melbourne stage between 1862 and 1866, and his impact on the theatrical life in the new colony was considerable. William Davies opened his branch studio at 5 Collins Street in 1863, which helps to date this fine studio portrait – one that appears unrecorded in Australian collections. A variant image from the same sitting is held in the collection of the State Library of New South Wales (Call no. P1 / 1716).