“Myrrhine” by Edith Martineau, 1842-1909

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Myrrhine

Edith Martineau, 1842-1909

Watercolour

17.75 x 14 inches

Titled in Greek; labelled

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Provenance: Kaye Michie Fine Art

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Commentary from the Maas Gallery

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When this picture was exhibited in the Dudley Gallery in 1873, it attracted very good reviews: 'A smoothly painted and brightly coloured portrait of a girl, in whose face suavity and brilliancy of expression are united with beauty of feature in very charming combination' (Morning Post), and: 'This is really excellent in carefulness and delicacy of execution' (Pall Mall Gazette). Myrrhine, holding a sprig of myrtle, is a character from Arisophanes' Lysistrata, in which women decide that the only way to end the Peloponnesian War is to remain celibate until their husbands cease fighting. Edith Martineau, the daughter of a Unitarian minister, herself never married - nor did her famous aunt, the political philosopher and author Harriet Martineau, with whom the artist shared progressive ideas.

Last modified 21 December 2018