Photographic portrait of Robert Lowe, colonial politician, circa 1873

Albumen print photograph, carte de visite format, 102 x 62 mm, recto and verso with studio imprint of Elliott & Fry, 55 Baker Street, Portman Square, verso also with contemporary inscription in pencil: Robert Lowe. A strong print with good tonal range, in excellent condition.

The British lawyer Robert Lowe (1811-1892) arrived in Sydney in 1842 and played an important role in the politics of the colony until his return to England in 1850. Initially a staunch ally of Governor Gipps, Lowe became increasingly outspoken in his criticism of government policy in such matters as its approach to revenue raising, and vehemently attacked the British Government's proposal to resume transportation to New South Wales in 1848. Later in life, after a successful career in British Parliament, he was raised to the peerage as Viscount Sherbrooke. This portrait was taken while Lowe was still Chancellor for the Exchequer, an office he held between 1868 and 1873.