Ipswich life and scenes - photograph album.

This album by Robert Burrows represents the earliest photographic record of life and scenes in Ipswich. The photographic processes used reveal that the scenes were taken c. 1850-1870, [the majority taken c. 1857-60].

Transferred from local history library, 13 April 1987

Robert Burrows [1810-1883], the son of a Robert Burrows, silversmith of the Old Cattle Market, was an important Ipswich painter, influenced by the Norwich School of Artists. He advertises himself in White's 1855 Directory as a 'silversmith, pawnbroker, insurance agent for London Assurance Company, music teacher and artist.'

It is thought he developed an interest in photography about 1857 after his defeat whilst standing as a town councillor for the Bridge Ward in 1856 (a position he had held as a Liberal since 1847). Many of the photographs, like his paintings, have people in them, and are posed. This is partly due to the long exposure period required for negatives at this period, and Burrows' liking for artistic arrangement. Many of the people shown are probably Ipswich artists and friends of Robert Burrows, who later helped found the Ipswich Art Club in 1875.

Burrows became a full time painter from 1869, after the death of his beloved wife, Harriet, and exhibited many paintings in Ipswich Art Club shows. Some of these paintings are now kept at Christchurch Mansion Museum and Art Gallery.