The Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Search over 215,000 works, 150,000 of which are illustrated from the 16th Century to the present day.

Advanced Collection search

Search the Collection

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford')

(1817-1888), Art patron and writer on needlework; first wife of John Hume Cust, Viscount Alford; daughter of 2nd Marquess of Northampton

Sitter in 9 portraits
Daughter of the 2nd Marquess of Northampton, Lady Alford's childhood was spent in Rome, a city she remained attached to and made frequent trips to throughout her life. The influence of Renaissance painting and Victorian romanticism can be seen in her watercolours. In 1851, she became the wealthy aristocratic widow of John Hume Cust, which afforded her the opportunity to become a generous patron of the arts. In 1866 she published Needlework as Art, writing about the history of needlework and raising its profile from craft to a high art form. She also helped to establish the Royal School of Needlework, with its president Princess Helena of Schleswig-Holstein

Tell us More

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation

List Thumbnail

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford'), by Camille Silvy - NPG Ax50298

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford')

by Camille Silvy
albumen print, 1860
NPG Ax50298

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford'), by Camille Silvy - NPG Ax61468

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford')

by Camille Silvy
albumen print, 24 September 1862
NPG Ax61468

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford'), by Camille Silvy - NPG Ax61469

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford')

by Camille Silvy
albumen print, 24 September 1862
NPG Ax61469

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford'), by Louisa Anne Beresford - NPG D23146(10)

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford')

by Louisa Anne Beresford
watercolour and pencil, 30 August 1887
NPG D23146(10)

Web image not currently available

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford')

by Camille Silvy
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860
NPG Ax9536

Web image not currently available

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford')

by Camille Silvy
albumen print, 1860
NPG Ax128921

Web image not currently available

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford')

by Camille Silvy
albumen print, 1860
NPG Ax129029

Web image not currently available

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford')

by George Zobel, after Thomas Brooker
mezzotint, 1863
NPG D49387

Web image not currently available

Marianne Margaret Egerton (née Compton), Viscountess Alford ('Lady Marian Alford')

by George Zobel, printed by Thomas Brooker, published by Paul and Dominic Colnaghi, Scott & Co, after Paul and Dominic Colnaghi, Scott & Co
mezzotint, published 7 July 1863
NPG D49388

Related People

Category

Groups

Place

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.