Isabella Grace and Clementina Maude, 5 Princes Gardens
Photograph
ca. 1862-1863 (photographed)
ca. 1862-1863 (photographed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Lady Hawarden often photographed her two eldest daughters posing together in an embrace. Another female photographer of the time, Julia Margaret Cameron, also explored the theme of affection between women. Behind the subject lie the traditions of Christian imagery, most notably the New Testament story of the Visitation. In this narrative Mary, the future mother of Jesus Christ, visits her elderly cousin Elizabeth, who has just become pregnant with John the Baptist.
Lesbian readings have also been attached to Hawarden’s photographs in such works as Lillian Faderman’s Surpassing the Love of Men (1981) and Carol Mavor’s Becoming: The Photographs of Clementina, Viscountess Hawarden (1999). Such readings are later interpretations, far from the original meaning of the photographs. Nevertheless, they have served to keep Hawarden’s photographs current and widely circulated and discussed.
Lesbian readings have also been attached to Hawarden’s photographs in such works as Lillian Faderman’s Surpassing the Love of Men (1981) and Carol Mavor’s Becoming: The Photographs of Clementina, Viscountess Hawarden (1999). Such readings are later interpretations, far from the original meaning of the photographs. Nevertheless, they have served to keep Hawarden’s photographs current and widely circulated and discussed.
Object details
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| Object type | |
| Titles |
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| Materials and techniques | Albumen print from wet collodion glass negative |
| Brief description | 19thC; Hawarden C, D 579, 5 Princes Gardens, Isabella Grace, Clementina, c. 1862-63 |
| Physical description | Sepia photograph, mounted on green card, of two young women standing in an embrace |
| 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.579) c.1862-c.1863 5 Princes Gardens, interior: Isabella Grace (three-quarter length; back to camera) and Clementina (three-quarter length), standing, hands on each other's shoulders, Clementina looking into Isabella Grace's face. 112 x 80 mm PH 457-1968:555 Literature: ed. Graham Ovenden, Clementina Lady Hawarden, 1974, p.92 (retouched). Microfilm: 3.19.523 The sisters seem interchangeable, entwined, one the mirror image of the other. Isabella Grace's face is not visible1 perhaps we are intended to read her expression in Clementina's eyes.' |
| Production | Reason For Production: Exhibition Reason For Production: Retail |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | Lady Hawarden often photographed her two eldest daughters posing together in an embrace. Another female photographer of the time, Julia Margaret Cameron, also explored the theme of affection between women. Behind the subject lie the traditions of Christian imagery, most notably the New Testament story of the Visitation. In this narrative Mary, the future mother of Jesus Christ, visits her elderly cousin Elizabeth, who has just become pregnant with John the Baptist. Lesbian readings have also been attached to Hawarden’s photographs in such works as Lillian Faderman’s Surpassing the Love of Men (1981) and Carol Mavor’s Becoming: The Photographs of Clementina, Viscountess Hawarden (1999). Such readings are later interpretations, far from the original meaning of the photographs. Nevertheless, they have served to keep Hawarden’s photographs current and widely circulated and discussed. |
| Bibliographic reference | Literature: ed. Graham Ovenden, Clementina Lady Hawarden, 1974, p.92 (retouched). Microfilm: 3.19.523 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 457:555-1968 |
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| Record created | February 23, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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