244 OF 257 
The Misses Grierson
244 of 257 portraits matching these criteria:
- set matching 'The Hill and Adamson albums'
© National Portrait Gallery, London
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The Misses Grierson
by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, circa 1845
7 5/8 in. x 5 1/2 in. (194 mm x 141 mm)
Given by an anonymous donor, 1973
Primary Collection
NPG P6(168)
Artistsback to top
- Robert Adamson (1821-1848), Pioneer photographer. Artist or producer associated with 382 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.
- David Octavius Hill (1802-1870), Landscape and portrait painter; pioneer photographer. Artist or producer associated with 382 portraits, Sitter associated with 22 portraits.
Linked publicationsback to top
- 100 Photographs, 2018, p. 17 Read entry
David Octavius Hill (1802-70) and Robert Adamson (1821-48) entered into partnership in 1843, to found one of Scotland’s first photographic studios. During their brief but fruitful association they produced some of the most influential photographs of the 1840s, cut short only by the untimely death of Adamson at the age of twenty-six. While they are perhaps best known for using the new technology of photography to portray notable Scottish figures, they were also drawn to the subject of children, exploring the precious and fleeting state of childhood. In this double portrait, the young daughters of the Reverend James Grierson are pictured close beside one another, joining hands and seemingly occupied by something happening outside of the photographic frame. The relaxed, naturalistic quality of this portrait is remarkable for this period, when long exposure times often resulted in sitters appearing tense and wooden. In reality, by leaning on one another the two girls made themselves more stable, reducing blur.
Portrait setback to top
Events of 1845back to top
Current affairs
Cardinal Newman converts to Roman Catholicism. A leader of the Oxford movement , growing in influence since the 1820s, Newman had raised doubts about the authority of the Anglican church.Ralph Etwall, MP for Andover, demands an inquiry into the administration of the Andover workhouse, which leads to the abolition of the Poor Law Commission, and resolution of Parliament to improve workhouse conditions.
Art and science
The American poet, short story writer, critic and leader of the American Romantic movement, Edgar Allan Poe, publishes his narrative poem 'The Raven'. The poem is a supernatural tale of a mysterious talking raven's visit to a distraught lover, who descends into madness, and explores themes of self-torture and obsession.The reconstruction of Trafalgar Square, by architects John Nash and Sir Charles Barry, is completed.
International
Sir John Franklin's expedition in search of the North-West passage, the sea route linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Franklin took two ships, the Erebus and the Terror, and a crew of 129 men made up Royal Navy officers. The crew never returned. Search parties sent out years later discovered the ships had got stuck in frozen waters, and that all the men had died.Comments back to top
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