Philip Wilson Steer

Model Seated Before a Mirror

?1894

Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported)

License this image

Not on display

Artist: Philip Wilson Steer 1860–1942
Medium: Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions: Support: 918 x 508 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Accepted by HM Government in lieu of inheritance tax and allocated to Tate 2005
Reference: T11973

Display caption

In Britain, Steer pioneered the new French concept of painting naturalistic bedroom scenes of women dressing or washing. It was an approach derived from French artist Edgar Degas. This scene places the viewer in the role of voyeur, and the girl’s absorption in her reflection echoes our own consideration of her.Intimate scenes such as this were bitterly denounced by critics for indecency. In the background hangs a painting by English painter Walter Sickert, Steer’s artistic ally.

Gallery label, May 2007

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Explore

interiors(4,587)
- domestic(1,835)
  - bedroom(335)
nature(46,527)
- natural phenomena(3,348)
  - reflection(780)
objects(23,699)
- fine arts and music(3,780)
  - painting(484)
- furnishings(3,127)
  - chair(940)
  - mirror(244)
- clothing and personal items(6,037)
  - petticoat(8)
people(35,872)
- actions: postures and motions(9,288)
  - sitting(3,396)
- adults(23,442)
  - woman(9,321)
- actions: processes and functions(2,184)
  - dressing / undressing(88)
work and occupations(14,393)
- arts and entertainment(6,591)
  - model(233)

You might like

Philip Wilson Steer Seated Nude: The Black Hat

c.1900
Philip Wilson Steer Mrs Cyprian Williams and her Two Little Girls

1891
Philip Wilson Steer Sleep

exhibited 1898
Philip Wilson Steer The Music Room

1905–6
Sir William Orpen The Mirror

1900
Ambrose McEvoy The Ear-Ring

exhibited 1911
Philip Wilson Steer A Procession of Yachts

1892–3
Philip Wilson Steer The Swiss Alps at the Earl’s Court Exhibition

1887

On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art
Philip Wilson Steer David Croal Thomson

1895
Philip Wilson Steer Southwold

c.1889
Philip Wilson Steer Figures on the Beach, Walberswick

c.1888–9
Philip Wilson Steer Bird-nesting, Ludlow

1898
Philip Wilson Steer Girls Running, Walberswick Pier

1888–94
Philip Wilson Steer Boulogne Sands

1888–91

On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art
Philip Wilson Steer The Bridge

1887–8