Rita Martin
(1875-1958), PhotographerSitter in 7 portraits
Artist associated with 310 portraits
Margareta 'Rita' Martin started her photographic career in 1897 when she helped her elder sister Lallie Charles to run her studio. In 1906 she opened her own studio, working in a similar studio to Charles, photographing subjects in pale colours against a pure white background, and focused on actresses such as Lily Elsie and Lily Brayton and child studies, particularly of Gladys Cooper's two children. Several of her most reproduced child studies were of the Luke Children, whose father, a carpenter for Waring and Gillows, was responsible for building her second studio. Martin's and Charles' few surviving negatives were presented to the National Portrait Gallery by their niece Lallie Charles Martin in 1994.
Isabella Martin; Lallie Charles; Rita Martin
by Lallie Charles
whole-plate glass negative, circa 1899
NPG x68949
Isabella Martin; Rita Martin; Lallie Charles
by Lallie Charles
whole-plate glass negative, circa 1899
NPG x68948
by Rita Martin
sepia-toned matte postcard print, 1900s
NPG x125450
by Rita Martin
sepia-toned matte postcard print, 1900s
NPG x125451
by Lallie Charles
cream-toned bromide print on photographer's card mount, circa 1907
NPG x68957
by Lallie Charles
cream-toned bromide print on photographer's card, circa 1907
NPG x68958
Isabella Martin; Lallie Charles; Rita Martin
by Lallie Charles
modern print from original whole-plate glass negative, circa 1899; printed 2022
On display in Room 29 on Floor 1 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG x68949MPb
Related People
- Lallie Charles (née Charlotte Elizabeth Martin) (sister)
- Lallie Charles Cowell (née Martin) (niece)
- Kathleen Gandey (née Pow) (niece)
- Isabella Martin (sister)
- Bruce Wardlaw Pow (nephew)
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Mary Ann Prior
02 January 2021, 11:27
I have recently found a photograph by Rita Martin which is quite faded but visible. It is of Constance Villiers Stuart (1876-1966) and her baby daughter Patricia (later Stuart Nemon). It must have been taken in late 1910 because Patricia was born in September. It has Rita Martin's stamp on it and the studio address 74 Baker Street. The image is No 2910-1