Size
Date
Country
Artist
Sitter
Case
Mark

1/4
ca 1851-1854
Cheltenham, UK
Attributed to Richard Lowe
Possibly Rev. W. Boyce's mother
Half case
Double Gaudin

Notes

Signed on the back of the plate: "Rev. W. Boyce, The Priory"

There is a Reverend William Boyce who worked at the Priory in Cheltenham. His wife Jane Vivian was born in 1823, and would've been 28-31 years old when this picture was taken, so not a likely candidate. Perhaps this is William's mother, or another woman he knew.

The image itself was made by Richard Lowe of Cheltenham, as the studio setting is the same as in his other images.

Lowe (1813-?) bought "Beard's Photographic Institution in Cheltenham" from the son of Richard Beard, who had bought it after his father had gone bankrupt in 1849. Lowe had first been manager of the studio, before operating it under his own name from 1850 until 1856, when he disappeared.

Lowe, at the age of 43, had suddenly had enough of his life as a photographer. He used his good reputation to buy a gold watch, a plate, and some drapery on credit, for a total of 97 pounds. He boarded a Liverpool steamer and was never seen again.