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Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Sir Francis Philip Cunliffe-Owen KCP, KCMG, CIE, Director of South Kensington Museum 1874-93

Photograph
ca. 1872-9 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
W. & D. Downey (photographers)
Place of origin
London (photographed)

In 1854 Sir Francis Philip Cunliffe-Owen (1828–94) obtained a post in the Department of Science and Art, recently established by the British government to promote education in science, technology and design. The department’s director, Henry Cole, appointed him as one of the superintendents of the British section of the Universal Exhibition held in Paris in 1855, a task for which Owen’s excellent knowledge of French proved to be a great advantage. The collaboration between the two men blossomed into an extremely successful partnership in the promotion of international exhibitions. From 1874 to 1893 Owen was director of the South Kensington Museum (later the V&A), a post previously held by Cole for 20 years.

Object details

Categories
Photographs
Portraits
History of the V&A
Object type
Photograph
TitleSir Francis Philip Cunliffe-Owen KCP, KCMG, CIE, Director of South Kensington Museum 1874-93 (generic title)
Materials and techniques
photography
Brief description
'Sir Francis Philip Cunliffe-Owen', photograph by W & D Downey, ca. 1872-1879.
Physical description
Three-quarter length portrait of Philip Cunliffe-Owen.
Dimensions
  • Sheet height: 16.5cm
  • Sheet width: 10.9cm
  • Image height: 14.3cm
  • Image width: 9.7cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • '24934 / Sir Cunliffe-Owen / 1874-1893 / W & D Downey / Photographers by Special Appointment / To Her majesty The Queen / To The Imperial & Royal Families of Europe / Studios / 57 & 61 Ebury Street / London, SW / . (Written in pencil on reverse of mount.)
  • W. & D. Downey / Photographers by Special Appointment / To Her Majesty The Queen / and / To The Imperial & Royal Families of Europe / Studios / 57 & 61 Ebury Street / London, SW
Object history
Vintage print removed from Directorate staircase January 2005. Replaced with modern reproduction.
Subject depicted
Cunliffe-Owen, Sir (Francis) Philip (K.C.B., K.C.M.G., C.I.E.)
Summary
In 1854 Sir Francis Philip Cunliffe-Owen (1828–94) obtained a post in the Department of Science and Art, recently established by the British government to promote education in science, technology and design. The department’s director, Henry Cole, appointed him as one of the superintendents of the British section of the Universal Exhibition held in Paris in 1855, a task for which Owen’s excellent knowledge of French proved to be a great advantage. The collaboration between the two men blossomed into an extremely successful partnership in the promotion of international exhibitions. From 1874 to 1893 Owen was director of the South Kensington Museum (later the V&A), a post previously held by Cole for 20 years.
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.208-2005

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Record createdMarch 4, 2005
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O109968/sir-francis-philip-cunliffe-owen-photograph-w--d/
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