Cyril Flower, first and only Baron Battersea of Battersea and Overstrand, was a Liberal Member of Parliament who held the position of Junior Lord of the Treasury in 1886. This photograph carries no information apart from the name of the subject, but it would not be surprising to learn that the careful posing, reflecting several of Lord Battersea's interests, was arranged by the sitter himself, or even that it is a self-portrait. His main interests were riding and art and he was well known as an amateur photographer.