The Portrait of My Wife
Print
1880-1890 (printed)
1880-1890 (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Death was highly visible in Victorian culture. It was a time for communal feeling, studied response and ritual. Texts, images and objects sentimentalised and codified the processes of dying and mourning. Contemplating the portrait of a deceased loved one or visiting a grave were considered the two most tangible ways of keeping memory alive. Both practices are combined on this music sheet cover in an exaggerated effusion of sentimental imagery. This overblown approach was often criticised for being overtly commercial.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Portrait of My Wife (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Lithograph on paper |
| Brief description | Richard Childs; Music title for 'The Portrait of My Wife; 19th century; lithograph |
| Physical description | Music Sheet cover with a monochrome lithograph illustration of a man kneeling by a grave looking at a portrait miniature. The lettering of the title and the name of the composer has been drawn as part of the lithograph. Publishing information is also printed. |
| Gallery label | Richard Childs active 1880s
Music title for 'The Portrait of My Wife' [roman, not italics]
1880-1890
Contemplating the portrait of a deceased loved one or visiting a grave were considered the two most tangible ways of keeping memory alive. Both practices are combined here in an exaggerated effusion of sentimental imagery. This approach was often criticised for being overtly commercial.
Lithograph
Given by H.C. Andrews
Museum no. E.2537-1914(December 2006) |
| Credit line | Given by H.C. Andrews |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Death was highly visible in Victorian culture. It was a time for communal feeling, studied response and ritual. Texts, images and objects sentimentalised and codified the processes of dying and mourning. Contemplating the portrait of a deceased loved one or visiting a grave were considered the two most tangible ways of keeping memory alive. Both practices are combined on this music sheet cover in an exaggerated effusion of sentimental imagery. This overblown approach was often criticised for being overtly commercial. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.2537-1914 |
About this object record
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| Record created | January 8, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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