Dame Christabel Pankhurst

Sitterback to top

• Dame Christabel Pankhurst (1880-1958), Militant suffragette; daughter of Emmeline Pankhurst. Sitter in 14 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Richard George Mathews (1870-1955), Artist. Artist associated with 11 portraits.

This portraitback to top

In 1908, when this portrait was made, Christabel Pankhurst is considered to have been at her most powerful as an accomplished orator, attracting a growing group of devoted followers amongst women of all classes as well as many male supporters. The accompanying text in the Bystander, echoing the sentiments of hero-worship often inspired by Christabel Pankhurst, referred to her popularity and prettiness. It proclaimed her a 'Boadicea of Politics', who 'chiefly fascinates by a clever combination in one small body of all the wiles of woman with some of the mind of man.'
For information on the original purpose of the portrait and on its acquisition by the National Portrait Gallery, see Chasing the suffragettes: A Boadicea of Politics.

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• Christabel Pankhurst (10 May 2011 - 11 December 2011)

Subject/Themeback to top

• Words and inscriptions