19thC. Hawarden C, D 688, 5 Princes Gardens, Clementina, Florence Elizabeth, c. 1863-64; Hawarden C, D 688, 5 Princes Gardens, Clementina, Florence Elizabeth, c. 1863-64

Lady Hawarden was admired by her contemporaries in the Photographic Society of London. She was awarded medals in 1863 'for the best photograph by an amateur' and in 1864 for 'the best group, or groups, or composition or compositions, each from a single negative'. Lewis Carroll, who visited the exhibition, wrote in his diary: 'I did not admire Mrs Cameron's large heads, taken out of focus. The best of the life ones were Lady Hawarden's'. He bought five. Virginia Dodier has written of this image: 'Perhaps Clementina, in prophetess robes and headdress, appears here as her sister's guide, as in a dream'.

5 Princes Gardens, interior: first floor, front: right window (not shown): screen: Clementina (three-quarter length), in fancy dress (prophetess: classical draperies, with star head-dress), eyes up, standing, right hand on Florence Elizabeth's right shoulder, left arm outstretched and pointing with forefinger, and Florence Elizabeth (half-length), in fancy dress (peasant bodice and skirt, with cape), eyes closed, seated, leaning right on Clementina's left side, both hands on glass of wine on French-style side-table.

Given by Lady Clementina Tottenham

Lady Clementina Hawarden took up photography about 1857 and became one of the most experimental and original photographers of the nineteenth century. She often used her children, husband and servants as models. The full-length looking-glass mirror which often appears in her pictures was known as a ‘psyche’ and is a visual pun on the Greek god ‘Psyche’, who represented the spiritual aspect of mankind. So the mirror and figures together in her pictures seem to represent the spiritual and material aspects of human life.

From departmental notes

'Clementina, Lady Hawarden (Untitled) Photographic Study (or) Study from Life (D.688) c.1863-c.1864 5 Princes Gardens, interior: first floor, front: right window (not shown): screen: Clementina (three-quarter length), in fancy dress (prophetess: classical draperies, with star head-dress), eyes up, standing, right hand on Florence Elizabeth's right shoulder, left arm outstretched and pointing with forefinger, and Florence Elizabeth (half-length), in fancy dress (peasant bodice and skirt, with cape), eyes closed, seated, leaning right on Clementina's left side, both hands on glass of wine on French-style side-table. Inscription (verso): No. 8; Inscription (verso of mount): (X614-)57 231 x 283 mm PH 298-1947 Series 133Literature: Microfilm: 3.18.119 Perhaps Clementina, in prophetess robes and headdress, appears here as her sister's guide, as in a dream.'

This is one of a series of untitled photographs that Lady Hawarden called 'Studies from Life'. She used her friends and family (especially her daughters) as models for most of them. The photographs were usually staged in her home in the South Kensington area of London. Most are characterised by the use of strong or dramatic natural light effects.

298-1947