The Great Exhibition, 1851: Bather by Lawlor

This photograph depicts the sculpture 'The Bather' by John Lawlor (1820–1901).

Owing to the success of the Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, commonly known as the Great Exhibition, it was decided that a record of the exhibition should be made. With this intention, a process began to photograph key exhibits from the Exhibition to produce illustrated copies of the 'Reports of the Juries'. The idea and decision to illustrate the reports with photographs is attributed to Prince Albert. At the exhibition's conclusion, over 100 copies of the four volume 'Reports by the Juries' were distributed to foreign governments and notable participants. The reports consist of the juries' comments and assessments of the works displayed in the exhibition.