State Library of South Australia

Portrait of Charles Henry West [PRG 1071/4/1] • Photograph

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Summary

This work has been created with a technique known as Opal Type or opalotype, and is essentially a portrait developed from a photograph then cast on to glass. The image itself was black and white, then hand coloured. The artist has paid close attention to the detail of the costume including gold buttons on the suit and white pigment added to the eyes and other reflective areas. In this piece, Charles Henry West has been illustrated with clear blue eyes and dark blonde hair. The inscription on the cap has been executed according to instructions given to the artists (the instructions themselves were written on brown paper and are now preserved in the collection).

Restrictions

This image has no known copyright restrictions.

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Physical description

1 photograph : opalotype, black and white (overpainted) ; 37 x 27 cm, in frame 68.6 x 56 x 4.1 cm

Dates / Publication details

Approximately 1890

Subject

West, Charles Henry, 1855-1930?
Clothing and dress -- South Australia
Lighthouse keepers -- South Australia

Catalogue record

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Formatted content

PRIMARY INSCRIPTION: none; SECONDARY INSCRIPTION: (top c) "Put - HMC - on Cap; He was a member of Her Majesty's Customs; He wants it put on well not to show the smear; Please return it as soon as possible as he has paid cash for it; 133-33 West - Wallaroo" (pen and ink cursive handwriting on brown paper), (centre) original label attached to reverse of the work advertising place of creation of the opal type "DIMOND BROS.; PHOTO ENLARGERS; PICTURE FRAMERS; Mount Cutters and Plush Workers,; 146 RUNDLE STREET, ADELAIDE.; BRANCHES:; 77 Bridge Road, Melbourne; Spring; Hill Brisbane and Perth W.A.", (bot l) "DJ Glen??; 23/11/94" (pencil).

Historical information

Charles Henry West was a customs officer at Port Adelaide, 1889-1892, and a lighthouse keeper at Cape Jaffa, Troubridge, and South Neptune Island, 1893-1919. He married Emma Isabella Germein, daughter of Samuel Germein. The State Library also has papers of Charles Henry West, comprising diary 1889-1918 routinely recording lighthouse duties, lighthouse keeping instruction books, notebooks for customs procedures, lighthouse photographs and family photographs.

Digitisation information

Date

19/01/2009

Format

image/tiff

Resolution

4,063 x 4,919 pixels (20.0 MP)

Size

59.99 MB

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