Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case MB2H, Shelf DR33

Clementina Maude, 5 Princes Gardens

Photograph
ca. 1863-1864 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Lady Hawarden has the reputation of being a ‘modern’ photographer before her time. This probably rests on her many photographs of her daughters posed beside mirrors. The real and the reflected are shown directly, side by side, which seems like a commentary on the photographic illusion itself. About this time (1860) photographs were described as ‘magic mirrors for the reflective man’. These photographs also suggest the idea of the ‘double’, or doppelganger. For whatever reason, Hawarden returned to this subject constantly.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Clementina Maude, 5 Princes Gardens (assigned by artist)
  • Photographic Study (series title)
Materials and techniques
Albumen print from wet collodion negative
Brief description
Photograph by Lady Hawarden, 'Clementina Maude, 5 Princes Gardens', c. 1863-4.
Physical description
Sepia photograph, mounted on green card, of a young woman posing beside a tall mirror.

5 Princes Gardens, interior: screen: Clementina (three-quarter length; right profile), standing, right hand supporting left hand, which holds frame of cheval-glass, in which she is reflected.
Dimensions
  • Height: 23.8cm
  • Width: 27.5cm
Style
Production typeUnlimited edition
Credit line
Given by Lady Clementina Tottenham
Historical context
From departmental notes

'Clementina, Lady Hawarden (Untitled) Photographic Study (or) Study from Life (D.648) c.1863-c.1864 5 Princes Gardens, interior: screen: Clementina (three-quarter length; right profile), standing, right hand supporting left hand, which holds frame of cheval-glass, in which she is reflected. Inscription (verso): No 163; Inscription (verso of mount): (X614-)163 238 x 275 mm PH 291-1947'
Production
Reason For Production: Exhibition
Reason For Production: Retail
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
Lady Hawarden has the reputation of being a ‘modern’ photographer before her time. This probably rests on her many photographs of her daughters posed beside mirrors. The real and the reflected are shown directly, side by side, which seems like a commentary on the photographic illusion itself. About this time (1860) photographs were described as ‘magic mirrors for the reflective man’. These photographs also suggest the idea of the ‘double’, or doppelganger. For whatever reason, Hawarden returned to this subject constantly.
Bibliographic references
  • Female Trouble. Die Kamera als Spiegel und Bühne weiblicher Inszenierungen Munich: Pinakothek der Moderne, 2008. ISBN: 978-3-7757-2203-2.
  • Cloud Illussions I Recall Dublin: Irish Museum of Modern Art, 2013. ISBN: 9781909792012.
Collection
Accession number
291-1947

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 22, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest