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Portrait of Lady Sarah Torrens (ca. 1780-1863) and her Family

Portrait of Lady Sarah Torrens (ca. 1780-1863) and her Family

On View

Not currently on view

John Linnell

According to John Linnell, Lady Sarah Torrens was a “kind and accomplished” woman who “in the most exemplary manner educated her six children to the admiration of all who witnessed the harmony and happiness with which her family was conducted.” Linnell painted Lady Torrens as an ideal mother, visualizing her as a Madonna figure surrounded by her loving children. Her husband, Sir Henry Torrens, was an officer in the British military who served in Europe, India, Egypt, the West Indies, and South America during a period of British imperial expansion. He is represented in the painting by the helmet and shield in the corner. This was an important commission for Linnell, who showed it at the Royal Academy exhibition in 1821 to gain recognition. He aspired to paint landscapes, and the scene in the distance of this portrait shows his skill in that genre.
Artist
John Linnell
(English, 1792 - 1882)
Title
Portrait of Lady Sarah Torrens (ca. 1780-1863) and her Family
Date
1820
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
45 x 56 in. Overall
Credit
Katherine Harper Mead Memorial Fund purchase
Accession No.
1984.86
Classification
Paintings
Geography
England

Related

<span>ca. 1821, commissioned by Sir Henry Torrens (England). 23 November 1979, Christie’s sale [lot 44]; 1980, Thomas Agnew and Sons (London) sold to Mrs. Richard Selle (New York). 1984, Noortman &amp; Brod (New York, NY) sold to Elvehjem Museum of Art [now called Chazen Museum of Art]</span>

  • Linnell, David, "Blake, Palmer, Linnell and Co.: The Life of John Linnell." Sussex, England: Book Guild, 1994.
  • Firestone, Evan R. "Lady Torrens and her Family by John Linnell." Elvehjem Museum of Art Bulletin/Annual Report 1986-1987. Elvehjem Museum of Art (1987): 17-27. pp. 17-27
  • Elvehjem Museum of Art. "Handbook of the Collection." Elvehjem Museum of Art, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Madison, 1990. no. 76
  • Elvehjem Museum of Art. "Bulletin/Annual Report 1984-1985." Madison: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 1985. p. 10
  • Elvehjem Museum of Art. "Artscene." Vol. 3, No. 2 March/April 1987. p. 2
  • Elvehjem Museum of Art. "Elvehjem Museum of Art Bulletin/Annual Report 1986-1987." Elvehjem Museum of Art, 1988. p. 18
  • Crouan, Katherine. "John Linnell, A Centennial Exhibition." Cambridge [Cambridgeshire]; New York: Cambridge University Press; Cambridge [Cambridgeshire]: Fitzwilliam Museum, 1982. pp. 28-29, no. 75; pl. 75
  • Noortman & Brod. "18th and 19th Century British Paintings." New York; London: Noortman & Brod, 1983. no. 12

  • John Linnell, A Centennial Exhibition: Fizwilliam Museum, Cambridge, 10/5/1982–3/20/1983
  • Portrait Surveyed: British Portraiture, 1670-1870, The: Thos. Agnew & Sons Ltd., London, 1/1/1980–12/31/1980
  • Royal Academy of London: Royal Academy of London, 4/10/1821–12/31/1821

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