John Collier (1850–1934)

Marian (or Marion) Collier

1882-83

Oil on canvas

650 in. x 39 7/8 in. (1271 mm x 1080 mm) overall

Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery (NPG 6811; purchased with help from the Art Fund, 2007)

The painter, the daughter of Thomas Huxley, shared a studio in Tite Street with her husband. After the birth of the couple's first child she suffered from acute postpartum depression and for months wouldn't leave her bed, eat, or drink. During a temporary recovery she returned to the couple’s shared studio, where they painted portraits of each other (his portrait [image] of her is in the National Portrait Gallery NPG 6811).

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