Sir William Allen 1843 - 1847

“Sir William Allen” was created by Hill and Adamson sometime between 1843 and 1848 using the calotype process. The portrait of Sir William Allen offers a glimpse into the era's fascination with romanticizing history. Allen, a Scottish historical painter and former Lord President of the Royal Scottish Academy, is seen here with a shield and sword. These props, along with the rolled document in his hand, create an image of a man of importance. It is a time when artists and intellectuals sought to revive and reimagine the past. This romantic vision often served to reinforce certain social hierarchies. The photograph captures the emotional and personal aspects of Allen's identity, reflecting how the subject saw himself and how he wished to be seen by the world. It is not just a record of his likeness, but a constructed image steeped in the values and aesthetics of 19th-century Britain.