Summary
Glass negative portrait of Mr Thomas Lang, grandfather to Melbourne studio photographer, Robert Harvie, who is believed to have taken this photograph.
Thomas Lang was born in 1816 and died 18 August 1896, in his 81st year. A copy of the image from this glass negative is featured on a memoriam card issued on the occasion of Mr Lang's passing, from his residence in Lynn Bank, East Melbourne, most likely by his wife, Matilda Lang, and surviving family.
The memoriam card, held by the Harvie Collection, consists of two pieces (HT 31588 and HT 31589). The first piece, being the front and middle of the card features introductory text and the photograph of Mr Lang. The second piece had no photograph but included text on what would have been the middle of the card and a line of verse on the back.
Robert William Harvie, was a professional photographer who, with his business partner Albert Sutcliffe, owned a photography studio named Harvie & Sutcliffe. Harvie & Sutcliffe operated between 1898 and 1908, and was located in the Cromwell Buildings, 366a Bourke Street, corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Streets, Melbourne.
The Harvie Collection includes examples of Robert Harvie's private and professional photographic practice. A number of the photographs depict the family life of four generations of the Harvie family, including the Lang family.
The Harvie and Lang families had social significance in Melbourne through their active involvement in early Australian vegetarian movements, early moving film, photography and architecture, as well as various other cultural societies and clubs in Melbourne.
Description of Content
A bust portrait of an older man with a white beard. He sits facing the camera but leans his body to the left hand side of the image. He is possibly resting his right arm on the left of the image against a surface. The man is dressed in a white shirt, dark waistcoat and dark jacket, and appears to be wearing dark gloves while holding something at the bottom of the frame. The chain of a pocket watch and what appears to be a cross can be seen on his waistcoat. He is posed in front of a black background.
Physical Description
Glass plate negative, black and white, portrait format.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
Images & Image Making, Home & Community, Clothing & Textiles
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Place & Date Depicted
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1876 - 1896
Thomas Lang was born in 1816 and died on 18 August 1896. This photograph shows him as an older man, presumably at some point from his 60th year onward. The photograph appears to have been taken in a studio, most likely in Melbourne, and is thought to be taken by Mr Lang's grandson, Robert Harvie, however, the photograph was taken before Harvie established his photography studio, Harvie & Sutcliffe, located in the Cromwell Buildings, 366a Bourke Street, Melbourne, therefore the place at which this photograph was taken is unknown. -
Person Depicted
Mr Thomas Lang, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1876-1896
Thomas Lang died on 18 August 1896. -
Creator (Possible)
Mr Robert W. Harvie, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1886 - 1896
If Mr Harvie is the photographer who took this image, the date range for this photograph would be circa 1886 - 1896, as Robert Harvie was only born in 1868. Considering the quality of the image it is unlikely to have been taken by an amateur photographer and therefore Mr Harvie would have been older rather than younger. -
Individuals Identified
Lang, Thomas
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Format
Glass Negative, Quarter Plate, Black & White
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Image Dimensions - Negative/s
118 mm (Width), 162 mm (Height)
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Keywords