Edith Sitwell
(1887-1964), PoetDame Edith Sitwell
Sitter in 56 portraits
Sitwell's first volume of poems, The Mother, was published in 1915. In collaboration with Osbert, she wrote Twentieth Century Harlequinade (1916). Her early work was characterised by marked stylisation, striking images and unconventional rhythms. As editor of the poetry anthology Wheels (1916-21), she encouraged modernist writers and attracted critical attention. Façade, her poem set to William Walton's music, established her reputation. Her best-known work includes Gold Coast Customs (1929) and English Eccentrics (1933). Four wartime volumes, including Street Songs (1942) and The Shadow of Cain (1947), were inspired by the blitz and the atom bomb.
Explore the portrait of Edith Sitwell by Maurice Lambert (NPG 5801) from all angles
by Cecil Beaton
vintage bromide print, December 1926
NPG P868
by Cecil Beaton
vintage bromide print, December 1926
NPG x40360
Sir Osbert Sitwell; Sir Sacheverell Sitwell, 6th Bt; Edith Sitwell
by Cecil Beaton
vintage bromide print, 1927
NPG x40365
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print on white card mount, 1927
NPG x40361
by Photo Press
bromide press print, 1928
NPG x135357
by Elliott & Fry
half-plate copy negative, 1929
NPG x82160
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print on white card mount, 1930
NPG x40363
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print on white card mount, 1930
NPG x40364
by Cecil Beaton
bromide postcard print on album page, 1930
NPG x40984
by Cecil Beaton
bromide postcard print on album page, 1930
NPG x40985
by Cecil Beaton
bromide postcard print on album page, 1930
NPG x40986
by Fox Photos Ltd
modern bromide print, 1931
NPG x45497
Related People
- William Henry Forester Denison, 1st Earl of Londesborough (grandfather)
- Edith Frances Wilhelmina (née Somerset), Countess of Londesborough (grandmother)
- Lady Ida Emily Augusta Sitwell (née Denison) (mother)
- Francis Trajan Sitwell (nephew)
- Sir (Francis) Osbert Sacheverell Sitwell, 5th Bt (brother)
- Sir (Sacheverell) Reresby Sitwell, 7th Bt (nephew)
- Sir Sacheverell Sitwell, 6th Bt (brother)
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.