Augusta, Lady Castletown c. 1846

Curator: Watts’ portrait of Augusta, Lady Castletown, dominates the space at over two meters tall. I’m struck by her rather demure pose against the somewhat blurred landscape backdrop. Editor: Yes, there is a definite air of melancholy about her. The landscape seems almost to be a fading memory. This image definitely speaks to ideals of beauty and feminine representation during the Victorian era. Curator: Absolutely. And the shawl wrapped around her body, it's more than just decoration, it is a mark of the exotic, of empire. It adds layers of meaning to her status. Editor: The use of the shawl is really interesting, the way that Watts drapes it across the painting really highlights its visual importance in relation to Lady Castletown. Curator: It's a powerful image. It really makes you consider the social expectations placed on women of her standing. Editor: It certainly does. The piece leaves much to consider about the subject and the society in which she lived.