5, Princes Gardens, Clementina; Studies from Life

Physical description

Photograph depicting the artist's daughter Clementina wearing a white cotton skirt lying on a bed by a window with her head resting on her hand, her reflection in a mirror behind her. Clementina (1847-1901) models as an 'Odalisque', but of a curiously fractured and photographic kind.

5 Princes Gardens, interior: first floor, front: right window: screen: floor-boards: Clementina, in fancy dress (Orientalist style), eyes closed, reclining on draped divan, right hand on cheek. Beside divan are cheval-glass (which reflects left side of her torso, window and window-casement) and French-style side-table (on which are jug, epergne, plate, and easel-back mirror). Visible through window: balcony; houses south side of Princes Gardens (faintly).

Place of Origin

England, Great Britain (made)

Date

ca. 1863-1864 (photographed)

Artist/maker

Clementina, Lady Hawarden, born 1822 - died 1865 (photographer)

Materials and Techniques

Albumen print from wet collodion on glass negative

Dimensions

Height: 24.4 cm, Width: 28.3 cm

Object history note

The Hawardens bought a newly-built house near the South Kensington Museum in 1859 and Lady Hawarden used the first floor - normally principal reception rooms - as a photographic studio. Her models were chosen from her children. Here her daughter Clementina (1847-1901) models as an 'Odalisque', but of a curiously fractured and photographic kind.

Historical significance: The psychological complexity of Lady Hawarden's images of women has inspired modern viewers to interpret her work in terms of feminist issues. Ingrid Sischy has suggested intriguing parallels between Lady Hawarden's 'Photographic Studies' and the 'Untitled Film Stills' of Cindy Sherman (American, born 1954).

Historical context note

From departmental notes

'Clementina, Lady Hawarden (Untitled) Photographic Study (or) Study from Life (D.666) c.1863-c.1864 5 Princes Gardens, interior: first floor, front: right window: screen: floor-boards: Clementina, in fancy dress (Orientalist style), eyes closed, reclining on draped divan, right hand on cheek. Beside divan are cheval-glass (which reflects left side of her torso, window and window-casement) and French-style side-table (on which are jug, epergne, plate, and easel-back mirror). Visible through window: balcony; houses south side of Princes Gardens (faintly). Inscription (verso of mount): (X614-)124 231 x 270 mm PH 269-1947 Series 129 Literature: ed. Graham Ovenden, Clementina Lady Hawarden, 1974, p.97. Microfilm: 3.18.128; National Art Slide Library no. 92.100.'

Descriptive line

Study from Life by Clementina, Lady Hawarden (British, 1822-1865), albumen print, Britain, 1861-1862.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Mikael Ahlund, ed, including an essay by Martin Barnes, The Pre-Raphaelites Stockholm: Nationalmuseum, 2009. ISBN: 978-91-7100-809-1. Literature: ed. Graham Ovenden, Clementina Lady Hawarden, 1974, p.97. Microfilm: 3.18.128; National Art Slide Library no. 92.100.
Exhibiton catalogue

Exhibition History

The Pre-Raphaelites: Dream and Reality in 19th Century Britain (Nationalmuseum, Stockholm 26/02/2009-24/05/2009)

Subjects depicted

Furniture; Clementina

Categories

Photographs

Collection code

PDP