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(April) Aileen Freda Balcon (née Leatherman), Lady Balcon as Minerva

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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(April) Aileen Freda Balcon (née Leatherman), Lady Balcon as Minerva

by Madame Yevonde
Vivex colour print, June 1935
13 1/2 in. x 10 5/8 in. (342 mm x 270 mm)
Given by Madame Yevonde, 1971
Photographs Collection
NPG x11633

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Madame Yevonde (1893-1975), Photographer. Artist associated with 326 portraits, Sitter in 8 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Yevonde styled Mrs Michael Balcon as Minerva, Goddess of War. She was also the Roman Goddess of Wisdom and a patron of learning and the arts and crafts. In classical times the owl became associated with her and appears here with two books representing wisdom and learing. Her other attribute was a spear which Yevonde has replaced here with a revolver.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Gibson, Robert; Roberts, Pam, Madame Yevonde: Colour, Fantasy & Myth, 1990 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 20 July - 1 October 1990), p. 72

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1935back to top

Current affairs

Stanley Baldwin starts his third term as Prime Minister after Ramsay Macdonald resigns due to ill health. Coincidentally, Baldwin's first term in office also came about when the Prime Minister of the time, Bonar Law, stepped down due to illness in 1923.

Art and science

Robert Watson-Watt demonstrates Radar, showing how an aircraft can be tracked by detecting radio waves reflected off it. During the war, Watson-Watt established a network of machines and operators that helped detect the approach of enemy aircraft in the Battle of Britain.
Penguin publishes its first paperback books, making reading more portable and affordable to a wider audience.

International

Italy invades Abyssinia. The invasion of the country now known as Ethiopia was part of Mussolini's plan to create an Italian Empire. It was also an attempt to avenge Abyssinia's victory over the Italian army at Adowa in 1896.
Germany introduces conscription, breaking the disarmament clause of the Treaty of Versailles.

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