Portrait of William Lamb – Viscount Melbourne (copy) undated

Summary

The collection holds three portraits of William Lamb, made at different times in his life. The artist of only one of these works is known, and it was the hand of an anonymous artist that created this small oil painting of Lamb later in his life, housed in an elaborate gilt frame. The undated work was presented to the City of Melbourne in 1947, having been purchased by one W.B. Carr in London. Lord Melbourne, William Lamb, was the Whig prime minister of England at the time Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, and he quickly became the inexperienced young queen’s advisor and confidant. Queen Victoria made him the namesake of our city in 1837, Europeans having settled the Port Phillip District a few short years earlier.