Talbot's father died when his son was only five months old and subsequently the young child and his mother, Lady Elizabeth (née Fox-Strangways) lived in what has been described by Arnold as "a series of permanent homes" one of which was the Lansdowne home, Bowood in Wiltshire. The relationship which developed between Henry Talbot and his aunt and uncle was a close one. This photogenic drawing, given by Talbot to ........, was obviously highly treasured both by Lady Louisa, and by Lord Edmond Fitzmaurice, younger son of the fourth Marquis of Lansdowne.

Christie's would like to thank Michael Gray, Curator of The Fox Talbot Museum, Lacock and Dr. Larry Schaaf for help in dating the photograph.