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STORIES THROUGH PICTURES

FAMILY PORTRAITS

In the past, only wealthy people could afford to pay an artist to paint, draw or photograph their family
members. They were also able to use new technology such as cameras to make their own portraits. Artists
sometimes make portraits of themselves; these are called self-portraits. So, the next time you take a ‘selfie’,
you are actually creating a self-portrait!

Geraldine Henry: Photograph Circa 1883

Geraldine Henry was a teenager when this photograph
was taken by her brother Alexander. The picture was put
in their family album and we can still see the hand-written
label and the little tags used to hold it in place. ‘Dressing-
up’ was very fashionable at the time. The art and culture
of Egypt was ‘discovered’ by Europe during the early 19th
century and the Henry family had visited Egypt. This
explains why she is wearing an Egyptian costume.

• What can you see that is familiar?

• What can you see that is unusual?

• Photography was a new hobby for wealthy people and
Alexander was lucky to have his own equipment and
darkroom. He photographed his family and their homes
and hobbies. Do you know what a dark room was used for?

Florence Henry: Oil on Canvas (Copy) Circa 1875 7
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Born in 1870, Florence was the youngest of the Henry
children. We don’t know who the artist was, but it is a
painting of fine quality.

• This is an oil painting that would have taken many hours
to paint. To cut down the amount of time that Florence
had to sit still the artist was sent her dress which he painted
first. Then he just had to paint her face and hands from
real life!

• We have read that Florence was a playful and mischievous
child; can you tell that from the painting? What do you
suppose she is thinking about?

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