Olave St Clair Baden-Powell, Lady Baden-Powell; Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell

Sittersback to top

• Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell (1857-1941), Major-General and founder of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Sitter associated with 34 portraits.
• Olave St Clair Baden-Powell (née Soames), Lady Baden-Powell (1889-1977), Leader of the world Girl Guide movement; wife of 1st Baron Baden-Powell. Sitter associated with 15 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Bassano (active 1902-1979). Artist associated with 41925 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Baden-Powell's wedding to Olave St Clair Soames was a private family affair at St Peter's Church, Parkstone on 31st October 1912. Only their engagement was announced in the Press. Bassano marked the occasion with this montage celebration made up of two separate images. Although Olave was 32 years his junior Baden-Powell assured his mother she would be an 'invaluable adviser....and a real playmate'. They had a long, happy, if unusual, marriage producing three children. Olave committed herself to her husband's work and built up her own position within the Girl Guides to become Chief Commissioner in 1916 and Chief Guide in 1918.

Related worksback to top

• NPG x81083: Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell ()

Portrait setback to top

• Bassano 1912

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Couples
• Double portraits
• Flowers and plants
• Gloves and gauntlets
• Hats and head-attire
• Swords and shields
• Uniforms
• Wedding inspiration