Charles Joseph La Trobe (1801–1875) was appointed superintendent of the Port Phillip District in 1839. In 1850, when Victoria became a separate colony, he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor and served in this role until 1854. Following his departure, a group of colonists raised funds for the creation of a portrait. Scottish artist Sir Francis Grant undertook the commission, ultimately making four portraits showing La Trobe in his uniform as Lieutenant-Governor. Those who contributed funds towards the portrait gained a printed copy in return, this mezzotint being based on one of the two of Grant’s paintings now belonging to the State Library of Victoria.
A self-taught artist, Grant exhibited some 250 portraits at the Royal Academy, of which he was president from 1866 until 1878. Printmaker Samuel Bellin was a leading exponent of the mezzotint.
Purchased 2010
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
In 2006 the National Portrait Gallery acquired a splendid portrait of Victoria's first governor, Lieutenant Governor Charles Joseph La Trobe by Thomas Woolner.
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