Elizabeth Rigby (Lady Eastlake)

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment

Artist: Elizabeth Rigby (Lady Eastlake) 1809–1893
Medium: Graphite on paper
Dimensions: Support: 283 × 241 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996
Reference: T09812

Display caption

This work demonstrates the use of pencil for a finished portrait. Rigby has paid particular attention to the face and hair: the contrast between the darker rounded strokes for the ringlets and the lighter strokes for the face and bonnet throws the curls into relief. It is possible that a softer pencil was used for the curls. Despite Rigby's obvious talent for drawing, she chose to make a career out of journalism. A biography records that 'Literature was to be her vocation and career, but drawing her delight'.

Gallery label, August 2004

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