Woman’s Mission: Companion of Manhood

Woman’s Mission: Companion of Manhood

George Elgar Hicks (1824-1914)

1863

Oil on canvas

762 x 641 mm

Courtesy of Tate Britain T00397. Presented by David Barclay 1960

This is the central panel of a triptych entitled Woman's Mission and representing the three stages in a woman's life as 'ministering angel'. One of the other two panels, Guide of Childhood, is now lost. Together they echo prevailing views of woman's role in the Victorian home and reinforce the desired image of the 'fairer sex' as pure and submissive, as conveyed by Coventry Patmore in his popular poem 'The Angel in the House' (1854-63). [continued below]

[Click on this image to enlarge it.]