Dimensions: support: 1505 x 1170 mm
Copyright: CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Curator: I see a certain melancholic grandeur in Sir Hubert von Herkomer's "Portrait of Lady Tate." It has such a weight to it, doesn't it? Editor: Indeed, the opulent fabric of her gown contrasts with the almost stern expression. You can almost feel the texture of the silk. It's a study in Victorian materialism. Curator: Perhaps. I find myself wondering about the life that lined her face, a life lived under the weight of societal expectations. Editor: And under the weight of those luxurious materials. Think of the labor involved in creating those garments, the global trade networks that brought those fabrics to London. Curator: It's a somber reflection on an era, both artistically and socially. Editor: Absolutely. This portrait becomes a document of material culture as much as it is about Lady Tate herself.
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http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/von-herkomer-portrait-of-lady-tate-t07477
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Amy Hislop became Henry Tate's second wife in 1883 at the age of thirty-five. She was an extrovert, enjoying formal occasions, and it would appear that she encouraged his philanthropy. After their marriage Tate made generous benefactions towards several public libraries in south London before offering his collection of sixty-five works of recent British art to the nation. Bavarian-born Hubert Von Herkomer was known for his graphic illustrations as much as his portraits. His enjoyment of modern life was reflected in his passion for the motor car and experiments with film-making. Gallery label, August 2004
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