Our third trip was to the National Portrait Gallery in the Trafalgar Square area of London. This one one of my favorite museum’s during my study abroad experience. There were paintings, sculptures and other forms of artwork everywhere! During this trip, I focused mainly on women and their successful roles in society.

 

The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856 with an aim “to promote through the medium of portraits, the appreciation and understanding of the men and women who have made and are making British history and culture, and to promote the appreciation and understanding of portraiture in all media.”

The gallery also aims to bring history to the forefront in its extensive display of paintings, exhibitions, digital programs and other art forms to allow everyone to stimulate their own opinion and address questions and concerns to stir up conversation.

 

This is a painting I found interesting of Emilia Francis, also known as Lady Dilke (1800-1899) by Sir Hubert von Herkomer (1849-1914). Emila began here career as an art historian who specialized in French art. She was very active in the women’s trade union movement. She was involved in the Women’s Trade Union League (1874) because of her commitment to social reform and improving the working conditions of women. She was the president until her death.

 

My favorite painting I saw at the National Portrait Gallery at this self portrait of Doris Zinkeisen (1897-1991) who was a painter and stage designer. She was mostly known for her posters she created during World War II and produced several liberation of concentration camps posters for Bergen-Belsen, railway company posters and murals.

This oil on canvas painting stood out to me by Richard Evans (1784-1871) of Harriet Martineau (1802-1876). She was a journalist, novelist and economist. She was also involved in the anti-slavery campaign where she travelled to America and recorded her experiences. She was also the only woman to attempt a full scale autobiography writing about her career and travels. Many believed a woman could not have as much success during this time as she did.

Sources https://www.npg.org.uk/about/