Isambard Kingdom Brunel at Millwall, leaning against a Chain Drum - Robert Howlett - Framed art Print

Born in 1831 and passing away in 1858, Robert Howlett was a groundbreaking British photographer whose pieces are prominently displayed in key galleries. He created portraits of Crimean War champions, assorted scenes, and landscapes. Among his well-known works is the esteemed photo of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, commissioned by the London-based Illustrated Times to chronicle the crafting of the world's largest steamship, the SS Great Eastern.

Howlett was among the early photographers who managed to turn the nascent medium into a thriving profession. Prior to the 1850s, photography was largely a hobby, often pursued by individuals from scientific or artistic backgrounds. Howlett brought his work into the public eye through exhibitions and began showcasing his pieces at London's Photographic Society in 1856.

He also innovated in the field by creating and selling portable darkroom tents. In 1856, he authored a guide titled "On the Various Methods of Printing Photographic Pictures upon Paper, with Suggestions for Their Preservation". After 1855, he teamed up with Joseph Cundall to open a professional photography studio in London. His life was tragically cut short at the tender age of twenty-seven, allegedly due to exposure to the harmful chemicals involved in the photographic process.