professional photographer, joined the Sydney photographic studio of Edwin Dalton as a camera operator in 1857. Oswald’s wife, Eliza Allen , worked for Dalton as a colourist in 1863 64 and her son (his stepson) William Bradley also spent some years there. Allen set up his own photographic business at 360 George Street in 1862, in partnership with his stepson until 1867 then on his own until 1870. He advertised 'crayon [pastel] portraits and highly-finished miniatures’ as well as coloured photographs in Sands Sydney Directory for 1867. The drawing and colouring side of the business was largely the responsibility of his wife, then working in the business. In 1869 70 the two were formally listed in partnershi
'Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Allen’ contributed miniatures to the open portraiture section of the 1870 Sydney Intercolonial Exhibition. Praised as 'coloured photographs’, these were therefore judged ineligible for a prize, but in the photography and pastel drawing sections their portraits were awarded highly commended certificates. 'These likenesses are not only good’, reported the Sydney Morning Herald of 1 September 1870, 'but they are idealised in a manner that represents something more than the mere features of the party so depicted’. The Allens sent several works to the 1871 London International Exhibition, including a large pastel-coloured portrait bust and an untitled watercolour both probably on photographic bases. By 1873 their studio had been taken over by Freeman Brothers.
- Writers:
- Staff Writer
- Date written:
- 1992
- Last updated:
- 2011
