Historical information

Henry Beater Christian (1886-1962) , was a descendant of one of the earliest settler families in Kew. Employed at the Kew Asylum as a 'public servant', he was a skilled amateur photographer, photographing numerous scenes in Kew and on his travels around Victoria. The majority of his photographs date from 1916 to 1929. His finest photographs are housed in two photograph albums.

Physical description

Digital copy of a photograph from page 7 of the 47-page photograph album containing 261 gelatinous silver images, loaned by Diane Washfold with permission given to digitise and hold a copy in our collection. This photograph was taken during a flood year, perhaps 1923, when the Yarra encroached on the grounds of the Abbotsford Convent. In the distance, the Johnston Street Bridge separates the viewer from the industrialised landscape of Fairfield. In developing the photo, Henry Christian employed a circular frame to artistically focus the view. He empkloyed this technique for what he may have viewed as his best photographs.

Inscriptions & markings

"Studley Park / Kew"