Sir Henry Cole (1808-1882)

Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, Bart., R.A. (1834-1890)

1875

Plaster

National Portrait Gallery, London

Sir Henry worked closely with Prince Albert in planning the Great Exhibition, and was a driving force behind the South Kensington Museum, and, as Secretary of the Science and Art Department, 1853-73, much else besides. "Cole cared little for his personal appearance and his untidy, portly figure was ridiculed and caricatured" (Cooper) but he was a powerful promoter of our culture.

Photograph and text by Jacqueline Banerjee (background of bust digitally removed)

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