Not on display
- Artist
- Unknown artist, Britain
- Medium
- Oil paint on canvas
- Dimensions
- Support: 749 x 622 mm
frame: 922 x 797 x 50 mm - Collection
- Tate
- Acquisition
- Purchased 1912
- Reference
- N02878
Display caption
The inscription identifies this lady as Martha Horton, who married Joshua Horton of Sowerby, Yorkshire, between 1651-6. However, she seems too old and may instead be Martha’s mother-in-law. Her sombre black clothing and lace headdress show she is a widow.
The Horton family were strict adherents to their Puritan faith. This woman, presented with a plain sincerity, rests her finger between the pages of her Bible, from which she seeks spiritual and moral guidance.
Gallery label, April 2005
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.
Features
-
A Lady of the Horton Family c.1665: By British School 17th century
Read technical information about this painting resulting from examination and scientific analysis by conservators and conservation scientists at Tate
Explore
- objects(23,701)
- clothing and personal items(6,038)
- hat, cap(362)
- reading, writing, printed matter(5,174)
- book - non-specific(1,974)
- clothing and personal items(6,038)
- people(35,873)
- actions: postures and motions(9,288)
- hand / hands raised(143)
- adults(23,442)
- woman(9,321)
- named individuals(12,547)
- Horton(2)
- portraits(4,477)
- individuals: female(1,706)
- actions: postures and motions(9,288)
- society(35,465)
- dress: ceremonial/royal(102)
- mourning dress(10)
- dress: ceremonial/royal(102)
You might like
-
Sir Peter Lely Two Ladies of the Lake Family
c.1660 -
Gilbert Jackson A Lady of the Grenville Family and her Son
1640 -
Sir Anthony Van Dyck A Lady of the Spencer Family
c.1633–8 -
Cornelius Johnson Unknown Lady
1659 -
Cornelius Johnson Portrait of an Unknown Lady
1646 -
Jacob Huysmans Portrait of a Lady, as Diana
?c.1674 -
John Hayls Portrait of a Lady and a Boy, with Pan
1655–9 -
Sir Anthony Van Dyck Portrait of Mary Hill, Lady Killigrew
1638 -
David Des Granges The Saltonstall Family
c.1636–7 -
Unknown artist, Britain Portrait of William Style of Langley
1636 -
John Michael Wright Portrait of Mrs Salesbury with her Grandchildren Edward and Elizabeth Bagot
1675–6 -
Unknown artist, Britain Gertrude Sadler, Lady Aston
c.1620–3 -
Unknown artist, Britain Portrait of Anne Wortley, Later Lady Morton
c.1620 -
Joan Carlile Portrait of an Unknown Lady
1650–5 -
Peter Borseller Portrait of a Lady
date not known