Isabel (née Arundel), Lady Burton

Sitterback to top

• Isabel (née Arundel), Lady Burton (1831-1896), Traveller and explorer; wife of Sir Richard Burton. Sitter in 1 portrait.

Artistback to top

• Unknown photographer. Artist associated with 4585 portraits.

This portraitback to top

In this carte-de-visite she wears an adaptation of male Arab dress. Both Lady Isabel Burton and her husband were fond of dressing-up, Richard famously having travelled in disguise to Mecca. However, he lacked tact and was suddenly recalled from Damascus to London, sending Isabel the famous message 'Ordered off; pay, pack and follow', which she did.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Birkett, Dea; Morris, Jan (foreword), Off the Beaten Track: Three Centuries of Women Travellers, 2004 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 7 July to 31 October 2004), p. 54

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• Off the Beaten Track (7 July 2004 - 31 October 2004)

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Carpets and textiles
• Costumes and national dress
• Lounging