Marie Stopes
1 portrait of Marie Stopes
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Marie Stopes
by Sir Gerald Kelly
oil on canvas, 1953
28 1/2 in. x 33 3/4 in. (724 mm x 857 mm)
Bequeathed by Marie Charlotte Carmichael Stopes, 1959
Primary Collection
NPG 4111
Sitterback to top
- Marie Charlotte Carmichael Stopes (1880-1958), Palaeobotanist and pioneer and advocate of birth control. Sitter in 14 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Sir Gerald Kelly (1879-1972), Painter and President of the Royal Academy. Artist or producer associated with 27 portraits, Sitter in 11 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Marie Stopes commissioned this portrait of herself from Sir Gerald Kelly whose work she greatly admired. She is depicted in her academic gowns of University College, London. The artist pronounced the portrait 'strikingly like her'. He greatly admired Stopes, describing her as the 'most remarkable woman, whose fame will outlive so many'.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Smartify image discovery app
- 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. 86
- Hart-Davis, Adam, Chain Reactions, 2000, p. 147
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 592
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- Clear Vision: Brockhurst, Frampton and Kelly (Until 8 July 2007)
- Off the Beaten Track (7 July 2004 - 31 October 2004)
Events of 1953back to top
Current affairs
A combination of low pressure in the North Sea, hurricane force winds, and high tides result in the Great Flood of 1953. With no warning system many were trapped in their homes as 20-foot waves crashed on the coast; hundreds were killed at sea and on the east coast.John Hunt's British Expedition conquers Everest. News of the achievement reached Britain on the day of Elizabeth's coronation.
Art and science
Frances Crick and James Watson discover the double helix structure of DNA. Uncovering DNA's chemical make-up revolutionised our understanding of the building blocks of life.Ian Fleming publishes his first James Bond novel, Casino Royal.
Chad Varah founds 'The Samaritans' helpline.
International
Joseph Stalin dies four days after suffering a stroke. It has been suggested that Stalin was assassinated, as he was denied medical assistance for over a day after he was found; many suspect that he was poisoned. On his death Georgy Malenkov became leader of the Soviet Union.Comments back to top
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