Photographic Study, 1860s

Clementina Maude, Viscountess Hawarden, aka Lady Clementina Hawarden ~ Photographic Study, early 1860s. Albumen silver print from glass negative | src MetMuseum

Clementina Maude, her mother’s preferred model, is seen here in a reflective pose against a star-studded wall. The casual placement of the shawl on the table and the girl’s loose hair contribute to the feeling of intimacy. In the airy room time seems to be suspended. The sensuous curves of the table legs, the soft weight of the crushed velvet, and the crispness of the starry wallpaper are enhanced by the skillful handling of the collodion technique. The composition, devoid of Victorian clutter, brings together light, shadow, and compositional elements in a spare and appealing interplay. In contrast to the prevailing fashion of giving literary or sentimental titles to portraits of young women, Lady Hawarden titled her works simply “Photographic Study”.

Lady Clementina Hawarden aka Viscountess Hawarden ~ Photographic Study, early 1860s (detail) | src MetMuseum

The visit by Lady Hawarden

Lady Hawarden (1822-1865) ~ Study from Life / Photographic Study ca. 1864. Albumen print from glass negative (detail)
Lady Clementina Hawarden (1822-1865) ~ Study from Life or Photographic Study ca. 1864. Albumen print from glass negative | src V&A Museum
Lady Clementina Hawarden (1822-1865) ~ Study from Life or Photographic Study ca. 1864. Albumen print from wet collodion on glass negative | src V&A Museum

‘In this photograph as in Ph 380-1947 (image below) her two eldest daughters of Lady Hawarden reaffirm their bond with each other and with their mother. Isabella Grace, in an 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.’

Clementina Hawarden (1822-1865) :: Untitled (Isabella Grace and Clementina), 1864. Albumen print. | src V&A Museum
Clementina Hawarden ~ Der Besuch (The visit) | src Zeno.org