Sunday, November 16, 2008

John William Godward - Dora


'87
oil on canvas
Although called 'Dora' this is believed to be a portrait of the eldest of the Pettigrew sisters (who Godward used as sitters) Hetty. The Pettigrew sisters were favourites of the 'classical' painters of the time after their arrival from Cornwall in 1884, as they were able to hold the strenuous poses needed and were not reluctant to pose naked, though Millais described them as 'more trouble than any (models) he ever had to deal with.'

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