Octavia Hill

Sitterback to top

• Octavia Hill (1838-1912), Social reformer. Sitter in 2 portraits.

Artistback to top

• John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), Portrait and landscape painter and muralist. Artist associated with 70 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Influenced by Christian Socialism and encouraged by John Ruskin in her schemes for improving the housing of the poor, Octavia Hill devoted herself to housing reform and to supervising the building and management of numerous dwellings. She was also widely involved in other charitable activities and a founder of the National Trust. This portrait was commissioned from Sargent by her friends and was given to Hill on her sixtieth birthday. It has a fine carved frame of leaves and fruit.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Funnell, Peter (introduction); Marsh, Jan, A Guide to Victorian and Edwardian Portraits, 2011, p. 59
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 302
• Simon, Jacob, The Art of the Picture Frame: Artists, Patrons and the Framing of Portraits in Britain, 1997 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 8 November 1996 - 9 February 1997), p. 109

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Chairs
• Eminent women tour
• On display at the Gallery