Ellen Terry by George Frederic Watts RA (1817-1904)

Ellen Terry

George Frederic Watts RA (1817-1904)

Pencil

Coloured chalks on paper

4 1/2 inches

This drawing is an early idea for Watts' portrait of the seventeen-year-old actress Ellen Terry, painted the year after they met in 1864. [Choosing, National Portrait Gallery). Despite their age difference (30 years), Watts became infatuated with her and determined to remove her 'from the temptations and abominations of the stage', by marrying her. A year later, they were separated. — Rupert Maas

References

Bryant, Barbara. G F Watts. Portraits: Fame and Beauty in Victorian Society. London: National Portrait Gallery, 2004, illus. plate 38.

Maas, Rupert. British Pictures. London: The Maas Gallery. 2006. Catalogue number 22.

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Last modified 13 August 2006