Ellen Terry
(1847-1928), ActressDame Ellen Alice Terry
Later Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 205 portraits
Born in Coventry where her actor parents were on tour. Terry was one of eleven siblings and won fame as a child first appearing on stage in 1856 with Charles Kean. Married the painter G.F. Watts in 1864 but separated within a year. Terry had two children by the architect Edward Godwin, Edith Craig and Edward Gordon Craig. Returned to stage in 1872 to establish herself as a leading actress with the Bancroft's and John Hare's company. She performed her most memorable roles under the management of Henry Irving with whom she undertook provincial tours and toured America seven times. In later life she continued to act but also produced plays, lectured and wrote.
by George Frederic Watts
oil on strawboard mounted on Gatorfoam, 1864
NPG 5048
by George Frederic Watts
oil on canvas, circa 1864-1865
NPG 2274
by Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson
oil on canvas, 1876
NPG 3789
replica by John Singer Sargent
oil on canvas, 1906, based on a work of 1889
NPG 2273
The Royal Academy Conversazione, 1891
by George Henry Grenville Manton
pen, ink and gouache, 1891
NPG 2820
by James Ferrier Pryde
oil and varnish on card laid on board, circa 1894
NPG 6568
by Walford Graham Robertson
oil on canvas, 1923
NPG 3132
by Cyril Roberts
charcoal and bodycolour, 1923
NPG 3662
Charles John Kean; Ellen Terry as Leontes and Mamillius in 'The Winter's Tale'
by Martin Laroche (William Henry Silvester)
salt print, 26 April 1856
NPG x7954
Ellen Terry as Desdemona in 'Othello'
by Southwell Brothers
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG x16990
by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen print, 11 May 1867
NPG x18489
Ellen Terry as Philippa Chester in 'The Wandering Heir'
by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen carte-de-visite, 1874
NPG Ax18156
Ellen Terry as Philippa Chester in 'The Wandering Heir'
by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen carte-de-visite, 1874
NPG Ax18157
Ellen Terry as Philippa Chester in 'The Wandering Heir'
by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen carte-de-visite, 1874
On display in Room 22 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG x197559
after Lock & Whitfield, and Unknown photographers
woodburytype, published 1875
NPG x135885
by Window & Grove
woodburytype, 1876
NPG Ax7600
Ellen Terry as Olivia in 'Olivia'
by Window & Grove
albumen cabinet card, 1878
NPG x16986
Ellen Terry as Olivia in 'Olivia'
by Window & Grove
albumen cabinet card, 1878
NPG x16987
Ellen Terry as Ophelia in 'Hamlet'
by Window & Grove
albumen cabinet card, circa 1878
NPG x16971
Related People
- James Carew (husband)
- Edith Ailsa Geraldine Craig (daughter)
- (Edward Henry) Gordon Craig (son)
- David Lees (grandson)
- Marion Bessie Terry (sister)
- George Frederic Watts (husband)
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