Henrietta Mary Ada Ward
(1832-1924), Historical genre painter; art teacher to the Royal family; wife of Edward Matthew Ward; mother of Sir Leslie WardSitter in 7 portraits
Artist associated with 1 portrait
Henrietta Ward was one of the most successful British women artists of her time. Her father, grandfather and husband (George, James and E. M. Ward) were artists. Her son became the Vanity Fair artist 'Spy'. From 1846 to 1904, Ward exhibited at the Royal Academy. Her historical genre painting explored female heroism, with subjects such as Joan of Arc and Mary Queen of Scots. In the 1850s she taught Queen Victoria's children and received many royal commissions. She exhibited at home and abroad, including at the 1851 Great Exhibition, and was proposed for RA membership before women were eligible to join. In 1889, she signed a Declaration in Favour of Women's Suffrage, based on womens' contribution to public life.
by Walker Hodgson
black chalk on wove paper, 1891
NPG 7037
by Elliott & Fry
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax28970
by Elliott & Fry
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax17284
by John & Charles Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1863
NPG Ax14896
by John & Charles Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1863
NPG x134640
by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s
NPG x46573
by Edward Matthew Ward
pencil, 1847
NPG D7706
Related People
- Edward Matthew Ward (husband)
- George Raphael Ward (father)
- James Ward (grandfather)
- Sir Leslie Ward (son)
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Derek Turner
16 June 2016, 17:37
Henrietta (otherwise Mrs E M) Ward - maiden name also Ward - was the mother not the sister of Leslie Ward. She eloped aged 16 with the artist Edward, who drew this sketch around the time of their marriage, having been engaged for two years and in love since Henrietta was 11. She became an accomplished painter in her own right, exhibiting at the RA alongside her husband. After his death from an attempted suicide caused by depression, she opened a high society art school. Her pupils included Queen Victoria's daughters and she was commissioned by Victoria to paint her daughter Beatrice. She lived to a great age and was still painting at the age of 90.
Lara
15 August 2021, 20:09
I inherited a painting by Mrs E M Ward 1868. It says Turkish Market, Constantinople