Isabella Grace and Clementina Maude, 5 Princes Gardens
Photograph
ca. 1863-1864 (photographed)
ca. 1863-1864 (photographed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Virginia Dodier thinks that this photograph belongs to an ‘Orientalist’ series. Here, Lady Hawarden gives her drawing room a tent-like atmosphere.
Such scenes were popularised by the painter J. F. Lewis, and Roger Fenton exhibited his photographic ‘Nubian Series’ in 1859. Dodier writes that the idea of 'Orientalism' allowed European artists to ‘evoke sensuality on the premise of presenting quasi-ethnographical information about the customs of the East’.
The idea of the fancy dress or allegorical portrait stems from an earlier tradition in English art. They are found, for example, in the work of the painter Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–92).
Such scenes were popularised by the painter J. F. Lewis, and Roger Fenton exhibited his photographic ‘Nubian Series’ in 1859. Dodier writes that the idea of 'Orientalism' allowed European artists to ‘evoke sensuality on the premise of presenting quasi-ethnographical information about the customs of the East’.
The idea of the fancy dress or allegorical portrait stems from an earlier tradition in English art. They are found, for example, in the work of the painter Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–92).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Titles |
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| Materials and techniques | Photograph |
| Brief description | 19thC; Hawarden C, D 664, 5 Princes Gardens, Isabella Grace, Clementina, c. 1863-64 |
| Physical description | Sepia photograph, mounted on green card, showing two young women in fancy dress, one standing and the other reclining. 5 Princes Gardens, interior: first floor, front: screen (with drape): Isabella Grace, eyes closed, standing, hands clasped, and Clementina, eyes closed, seated on draped divan, legs crossed, right hand on throat, resting head on screen. Both in fancy dress (Orientalist style). |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Unlimited edition |
| Credit line | Given by Lady Clementina Tottenham |
| Historical context | From departmental notes 'Clementina, Lady Hawarden (Untitled) Photographic Study (or) Study from Life (D.664) c.1863-c.1864 5 Princes Gardens, interior: first floor, front: screen (with drape): Isabella Grace, eyes closed, standing, hands clasped, and Clementina, eyes closed, seated on draped divan, legs crossed, right hand on throat, resting head on screen. Both in fancy dress (Orientalist style). Inscription (verso): No 228; Inscription (verso of mount): (X614-)228 233 x 272 mm PH 373-1947 Series 128 Literature: Microfilm: 3.18.12' |
| Production | Reason For Production: Exhibition Reason For Production: Retail |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | Virginia Dodier thinks that this photograph belongs to an ‘Orientalist’ series. Here, Lady Hawarden gives her drawing room a tent-like atmosphere. Such scenes were popularised by the painter J. F. Lewis, and Roger Fenton exhibited his photographic ‘Nubian Series’ in 1859. Dodier writes that the idea of 'Orientalism' allowed European artists to ‘evoke sensuality on the premise of presenting quasi-ethnographical information about the customs of the East’. The idea of the fancy dress or allegorical portrait stems from an earlier tradition in English art. They are found, for example, in the work of the painter Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–92). |
| Bibliographic reference | V. Dodier, "Clementina, Lady Hawarden: Studies from Life 1857-1864 " (V&A Publications 1999), discusses this and related works (pp.50-54) and illustrates five variations on the theme of this photograph (pp.76-78).
Literature: Microfilm: 3.18.12 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 373-1947 |
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| Record created | February 19, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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