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Photographs by Cavendish Morton, 1900s-1920s


104 Portraits in set

The artist and photographer Cavendish Morton enjoyed several careers. Born in New York in 1874 to British parents, he followed his father's wishes, starting his career as an electrical engineer before he turned to work in an architect's office. He made his first appearance on stage at the age of 16. His illustrations appeared in American magazines before he came to London to act and work with the companies of, successively, Charles Wyndham, Herbert Beerbohm Tree and Johnston Forbes Robertson. His first photographs were of an actor appearing in Lillie Langtry's production of The Degenerates. In the early 1900s his work appeared at the Photographic Salon and art photography publications. He experimented with autochromes and gum prints but principally worked with platinotype prints and included amongst his subjects Lady Ottoline Morrell and Sir Harry Lauder. The National Portrait Gallery was given an extensive archive of his work in 1991 by his son, the watercolour artist, who also bears his father's name.

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Gloria Warren, by Cavendish Morton - NPG x128841

Gloria Warren

by Cavendish Morton
platinum print, 1900s
NPG x128841

Unknown man, by Cavendish Morton - NPG x128847

Unknown man

by Cavendish Morton
platinum print, 1900s
NPG x128847

Unknown boy, by Cavendish Morton - NPG x128860

Unknown boy

by Cavendish Morton
platinum print, circa 1902
NPG x128860

Unknown girl, by Cavendish Morton - NPG x128861

Unknown girl

by Cavendish Morton
vintage print, circa 1902
NPG x128861

Aida Overton Walker in 'In Dahomey', by Cavendish Morton - NPG x46664

Aida Overton Walker in 'In Dahomey'

by Cavendish Morton
platinotype print, 1903
On display in Room 24 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG x46664

Aida Overton Walker in 'In Dahomey', by Cavendish Morton - NPG x46666

Aida Overton Walker in 'In Dahomey'

by Cavendish Morton
sepia glossy print on printing-out paper, 1903
NPG x46666

Bert Williams, by Cavendish Morton - NPG x126389

Bert Williams

by Cavendish Morton
platinotype print, 1903
NPG x126389

Bert Williams as Shylock Homestead in 'In Dahomey', by Cavendish Morton - NPG x126395

Bert Williams as Shylock Homestead in 'In Dahomey'

by Cavendish Morton
platinotype print, 1903
NPG x126395

Bert Williams as Shylock Homestead in 'In Dahomey', by Cavendish Morton - NPG x126396

Bert Williams as Shylock Homestead in 'In Dahomey'

by Cavendish Morton
platinotype print, 1903
NPG x126396

Sir Harry Lauder, by Cavendish Morton - NPG x46640

Sir Harry Lauder

by Cavendish Morton
sepia glossy print on printing-out paper, 1904
NPG x46640

Clive Blatspiel Stamp, by Cavendish Morton - NPG x46648

Clive Blatspiel Stamp

by Cavendish Morton
platinum print on photographer's paper mount, 1907
NPG x46648

Lady Ottoline Morrell, by Cavendish Morton - NPG x135380

Lady Ottoline Morrell

by Cavendish Morton
platinum print, circa 1907
NPG x135380

Lady Ottoline Morrell, by Cavendish Morton - NPG x144151

Lady Ottoline Morrell

by Cavendish Morton
platinum print, circa 1907
NPG x144151

Gloria Warren, by Cavendish Morton - NPG x128826

Gloria Warren

by Cavendish Morton
platinum print, circa 1908
NPG x128826