Henry John Temple 1860s

This is a photograph of Henry John Temple, taken by Henry Hering sometime between 1850 and 1860. The image captures Temple in a composed stance with arms crossed, standing next to a table holding books. The image has meaning on many levels. As a member of the British aristocracy, and someone who served as Prime Minister twice, the photograph served to reinforce Temple’s social position and political power. It represents the hierarchies that operated in Victorian Britain. At the same time, the photograph challenges existing social norms. Photography in the Victorian era was a tool for memorializing and celebrating prominent figures. The distribution of these photographs through galleries and other venues helped to establish a visual culture that reinforced social hierarchies, even as those images became more widely available. Understanding such a portrait involves looking into the histories of photography, British politics, and class structures. Social and institutional contexts allow us to interpret this image and better understand its complex meanings.