Lady Elizabeth Eastlake

Category

Library Item

Item no

3620

Title

Lady Elizabeth Eastlake

Description

A seated woman wearing a dress and a shawl rests her head in her hand. Her elbow is on books beside a vase.

Artist / maker

Hill, David Octavius

Date

1847

Size

20.7 x 15.6 cm

Type

Salted paper print

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Lady Elizabeth Eastlake (nee Rigby) is the subject of several of Hill and Adamson's photographic portraits. She came to Edinburgh with her family in 1842, aged 32. She was by this stage a published journalist and author, and a keen artist. Her intellectual credentials afforded her access to the same social circles as David Octavius Hill, and, prompted presumably by her interest in art, she agreed to sit for him. She left Edinburgh for London in 1849 following her marriage to Charles Lock Eastlake. Her involvement with 19th century photography did not end here, however. Her husband became the first president of the Royal Photographic Society in 1853. She continued to write professionally, and in 1857 her article on the history of photography and its relationship with art was published in the Quarterly Review. A Hill and Adamson portrait of Lady Eastlake was amongst those shown in the Great Exhibition of 1851 and drew the attention of the future photography enthusiast Prince Albert.

Exhibitions with this item

Other views of this item

Related images

Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Garments > Dresses

Clothing and dress > Garments > Shawls

Furnishings > Ornamentation > Vases

People > Adults > Women

People > Education and communication > Scholars

People > Entertainment and sports > Authors

Toys > Books, Annuals and comics > Books

Read how our collections have inspired people taking part in events, visits and community groups. Use the slider or navigation arrows to see more responses.