Mary Frances, Mrs Walter Crane, 1886

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Mary Frances (Mrs Walter Crane) by Frederick Hollyer, 1886

Mary Frances Andrews had married Walter Crane, the painter, illustrator, designer, writer and teacher, in 1871. She is shown here in a high-waisted, uncorseted dress that was derived from classical costume. It was of a kind promoted in advanced circles as ‘Rational Dress‘. The photographer, Frederick Hollyer, was a leading specialist in the photographic reproduction of paintings, but he devoted one day a week to sitters from artistic and literary circles. His atmospheric photographs contribute considerably to our understanding of the period.

source: Victoria & Albert Museum

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