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Elizabeth Bowen

(1899-1973), Novelist and writer

Sitter in 20 portraits
Novelist and short story writer; acute observer both of the natural world and of precarious human emotions. After the publication of her first novel The Hotel (1927), Bowen enjoyed a smooth and successful literary career, becoming a prominent figure in the literary life of London in the 1930s and 40s. She published ten novels including The Death of the Heart (1938) and The Heat of the Day (1949), a haunting portrayal of life in London during World War II. Bowen's novels and short stories were often set in the world of the upper middle class, and she was fascinated by what she described as 'the cracks in the surface of life'.

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Elizabeth Bowen, by Cecil Beaton - NPG P869(5)

Elizabeth Bowen

by Cecil Beaton
vintage bromide print on white card mount, 1943
On display in Room 27 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG P869(5)

Elizabeth Bowen, by Angus McBean - NPG P887

Elizabeth Bowen

by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1948
NPG P887

Elizabeth Bowen, by André Paul Durand - NPG 5134

Elizabeth Bowen

by André Paul Durand
oil on canvas, 1969
NPG 5134

Elizabeth Bowen, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x127602

Elizabeth Bowen

by Bassano Ltd
half-plate film negative, 25 July 1939
NPG x127602

Elizabeth Bowen, by Howard Coster - NPG x3054

Elizabeth Bowen

by Howard Coster
quarter-plate film negative, 1942
NPG x3054

Elizabeth Bowen, by Howard Coster - NPG x3055

Elizabeth Bowen

by Howard Coster
quarter-plate film negative, 1942
NPG x3055

Elizabeth Bowen, by Howard Coster - NPG x3056

Elizabeth Bowen

by Howard Coster
quarter-plate film negative, 1942
NPG x3056

Elizabeth Bowen, by Howard Coster - NPG x3057

Elizabeth Bowen

by Howard Coster
quarter-plate film negative, 1942
NPG x3057

Elizabeth Bowen, by Elliott Erwitt - NPG x194052

Elizabeth Bowen

by Elliott Erwitt
bromide print, published 15 August 1950
NPG x194052

Elizabeth Bowen, by Raymond Cripps, for  Camera Press - NPG x194376

Elizabeth Bowen

by Raymond Cripps, for Camera Press
bromide press print, circa 1965
NPG x194376

Elizabeth Bowen, by Unknown photographer - NPG x20681

Elizabeth Bowen

by Unknown photographer
bromide print
NPG x20681

Image currently unavailable owing to copyright restrictions

Elizabeth Bowen

by Bill Brandt
bromide print on card mount, 1946
NPG x22408

Web image not currently available

Elizabeth Bowen

by Angus McBean
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 5 May 1948
NPG x137540

Web image not currently available

Elizabeth Bowen

by Angus McBean
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 29 March 1950
NPG x193388

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