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 (1951-1961); (Christie's, London, United Kingdom, March 17, 1961, lot 70, sold to Evelyn Waugh) (1961); Auberon Evelyn Waugh [1903-1966], London. United Kingdom (1961); (Christie's, London, United Kingdom, March 18,1983, lot 73, sold to Julian Hartnoll) (1983); (Julian Hartnoll Gallery, London, United Kingdom, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (1983-1984); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1984-)
Accession Number
1984.41
Medium
oil on fabric
Dimensions
Framed: 115.5 x 95.5 x 6 cm (45 1/2 x 37 5/8 x 2 3/8 in.); Unframed: 86.2 x 66.1 cm (33 15/16 x 26 in.)
Classification
Painting
Credit Line
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund
