Pre 1897 thumbnails

ASHBURTON, LADY
Neg. No: GP (L) 1486A
Neg. Size: 12"x15"
Neg. Date: 23-07-1897

copyright V&A

Sitter: Lady Ashburton (1866-1904), née Mabel Edith Hood.

Lady Ashburton (1866-1904), née Mabel Edith Hood.

Biog: Eldest daughter of 4th Viscount Hood; m (1889) 5th Baron Ashburton.

Role: [Tennyson's] Enid.(1)

Date: 23 July 1897.

Occasion: The Devonshire House Ball, 2 July 1897.

Location: The Lafayette Studio, 179 New Bond Street, London, W.

Descr: FL standing.

Costume: "...gown was of white satin, with a raised design in brocaded white velvet, edged with silver, and finished at the waist with a girdle of diamonds."(2) (Madame, 10 July 1897, p 69b)

Costume Supplier: Mrs. Mason, 4 New Burlington Street, London W.

Jewellery: -

Furnishings and props: Painted backdrop; Jacobean style staircase.

Photographer: The firm of J. Lafayette, 179 New Bond Street, London, W.

Evidence of photographer at work: -

No of poses: 3 (this neg marked as a reject, but see also neg nos 1486A & 1486B).

Copyright: V&A

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Provenance: Pinewood Studios; acquired 1989.

References:

Biog: Burke's Peerage; The Complete Peerage.

Occasion: Sophia Murphy, The Duchess of Devonshire's Ball, London, 1984.

Role and Costume: (Role only) The Daily News, 3 July 1897, p 5g; (Costume) The Daily Telegraph, 3 July 1897, p 10b; Pall Mall Gazette, 3 July 1897, p 7c; Truth, 8 July 1897, p 107b; The Court Circular, 10 July 1897, p 625a; Lady's Pictorial, 10 July 1897, p 53c; Madame, 10 July 1897, p 69b; The Queen, 10 July 1897, pp. 75 [drawing] & 76c.

Costume supplier: The Queen, 10 July 1897, p 75.

Jewellery: -

Reproduced: (Version) Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball, July 2 1897: A Collection of Portraits in Costume of Some of the Guests, privately printed, 1899, p 135 (National Portrait Gallery Archives).

1. Some published reports referred to "Tennyson's Enid". NB Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Idyll of Geraint and Enid, 1st published London, 1859, later published in Idylls of the King, London, 1859-85.

2. In this studio portrait, Lady Ashburton does not wear the veil and gloves.