The Cleveland Museum of Art
Mary Walker Waugh
Description
William Holman Hunt painted this portrait of Mary Walker Waugh (1805–1886)—his mother-in-law—during a time of personal tragedy. Waugh’s daughter Fanny Waugh Hunt (1832–1866), the wife of the artist, had recently died following childbirth. References to loss of life infiltrate the composition: the sitter wears black mourning attire, and behind her is a screen decorated with red poppies, a traditional symbol of unconsciousness and lifelessness because of its pharmaceutical use as a source for opiates. In Victorian society, the red poppy also signified consolation.
Provenance
Mrs. Michael Joseph, the artist's daughter, [1876-1951], London, United Kingdom, by inheritance to her daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Burt; Mrs. Elizabeth Burt, London, United Kingdom consigned to Christie's for sale; (Christie's, London, United Kingdom, March 17, 1961, lot 70, sold to Evelyn Waugh); Auberon Evelyn Waugh [1903-1966], London. United Kingdom; (Christie's, London, United Kingdom, March 18,1983, lot 73, sold to Julian Hartnoll); (Julian Hartnoll Gallery, London, United Kingdom, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Dimensions
86.2 × 66.1 cm
Movement / Period
Accession No
1984.41
Official Citations
Curatorial Affinity Stream
Continuing the Universe of William Holman Hunt (British, 1827–1910)
Modern European Painting and Sculpture • England, 19th century • Harmonious Works & Contemporaries
Continuous Discovery