'Study from Life or Photographic Study', photograph by Clementina, Lady Hawarden (1822-65), England, ca. 1864

Photograph of two girls looking at each other through French doors on a balcony.

5 Princes Gardens, interior: first floor, rear: French windows: Isabella Grace (three-quarter length; back to camera), in evening dress, standing, looking out over terrace, right hand raised and resting on window-frame, and Clementina, in riding habit, eyes up, standing on terrace facing Isabella Grace, right hand on Isabella Grace's right forearm, left hand raised and resting on window-frame.

Given by Lady Clementina Tottenham

From departmental notes

'Clementina, Lady Hawarden(Untitled) Photographic Study (or) Study from Life (D.738) c.1864 5 Princes Gardens, interior: first floor, rear: French windows: Isabella Grace (three-quarter length; back to camera), in evening dress, standing, looking out over terrace, right hand raised and resting on window-frame, and Clementina, in riding habit, eyes up, standing on terrace facing Isabella Grace, right hand on Isabella Grace's right forearm, left hand raised and resting on window-frame. Inscription (verso): No 14; Inscriptions (verso of mount): No 14 (and) Box I (and) X614 236 x 247 mm PH 267-1947 Literature: ed. Graham Ovenden, Clementina Lady Hawarden, 1974, p.91; Beaumont Newhall, The History of Reproductions: National Art Slide Library no. 92.102; V&A Pict' Library negative no. GJ 1327 (reference no. 46054)In this photograph as in Ph 380-1947 (D.737) her two eldest daughters reaffirm their bond with each other and with their mother. Isabella Grace, in evening dress, her hair elaborately arranged, with her back to the camera perhaps in order to show the intricacies of her dress and hair to full advantage, stands at the French window to the terrace. Clementina, poised like a mirror before her sister, her expression perhaps reflecting that on Isabella Grace's face, incongruously wears a riding habit and appears dishevelled. Their rapport is visually strengthened by the lines of the window, which direct our eyes to their arms, gracefully linked.'

Lady Hawarden was the first female photographer to gain critical recognition in Britain, receiving awards from the Photographic Society of London. Here, she poses her daughters in fancy dress by the windows and on the balcony of the drawing room in her South Kensington home. These subtle and enigmatic photographs are still intriguing and inspiring today.

267-1947