Charles
Joseph La Trobe (1801–1875) was appointed superintendent of the Port
Phillip District in 1839. In 1850, when Victoria became a separate
colony, he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor and served in this role
until 1854. Following his departure, a group of colonists raised funds
for the creation of a portrait. Scottish artist Sir Francis Grant
undertook the commission, ultimately making four portraits showing La
Trobe in his uniform as Lieutenant-Governor. Those who contributed funds
towards the portrait gained a printed copy in return, this mezzotint
being based on one of the two of Grant’s paintings now belonging to the
State Library of Victoria.
A
self-taught artist, Grant exhibited some 250 portraits at the Royal
Academy, of which he was president from 1866 until 1878. Printmaker
Samuel Bellin was a leading exponent of the mezzotint.
Purchased 2010
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Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a
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