Elizabeth Barrett Browning; Robert Browning
1 portrait
- Overview
- Extended Catalogue Entry
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Elizabeth Barrett Browning; Robert Browning
by Harriet Goodhue Hosmer
bronze cast of clasped hands, 1853
8 1/4 in. (210 mm) long
Given by Mrs Richard Fuller, 1943
Primary Collection
NPG 3165
Sittersback to top
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861), Poet; wife of Robert Browning. Sitter in 7 portraits.
- Robert Browning (1812-1889), Poet; husband of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Sitter in 53 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Harriet Goodhue Hosmer (1830-1908), Sculptor. Artist or producer of 2 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
This portraitback to top
This sculpture is taken from a cast of the clasped hands of poets f poets Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning, who had eloped in 1846. Their portraits, by Michele Giordini are also in the collection. The couple lived chiefly in Italy. Elizabeth’s best known work includes the narrative poem, Aurora Leigh (1857) and Robert is considered one of the greatest poets of the nineteenth century.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Smartify image discovery app
- Edited by Lucy Peltz & Louise Stewart, Love Stories: Art, Passion & Tragedy, 2020, p. 69
- Ormond, Richard, Early Victorian Portraits, 1973, p. 73
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 83
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1853back to top
Current affairs
Britain and America sign a treaty establishing an International Copyright agreement. Dickens, whose Bleak House is also published this year, was a particularly outspoken critic of these laws, as his works were freely published in America without any protection over copyright or royalties. He had lobbied the American Congress over the issue during his North American reading tour of 1842.Art and science
David Livingstone makes a six month journey from the Zambezi river to the west coast of Africa.Harriet Martineau translates The Positive Philosophy of August Comte. A scientific approach to understanding the natural world and human and social relations, positivism has an important influence on the development of the social sciences.
Holman Hunt exhibits his The Light of the World
International
Diplomatic row over Napoleon's call to the Turkish empire to restore Roman Catholic rights in the Holy Land. Russia asserts her role of protecting the rights of all Christians in the Ottoman empire; French and British fleets are dispatched to the Dardanelles. The Turkish sultan, declaring that he will look after the rights of Christians, heightens tension, and the Crimean war begins with Turkey declaring war on Russia.Comments back to top
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