Mrs William McEwan née Helen Anderson, 1837 - 1906
Henry Van der Weyde (1838 - 1924)
Category
Photographs
Date
Unknown
Materials
mahogany, photographic paper and brass
Measurements
385 mm (H)275 mm (W)287 mm (H)176 mm (W)
Order this imageCollection
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1246711
Summary
A professional photograph presented as a cabinet card.
Full description
Helen McEwan is standing and holding a bouquet of flowers. She is wearing a long dress which has an embroidered and lace decorated neck, bodice and centre line. Her arms are bare, she is wearing long gloves and a bracelet on her right wrist. Around her neck is a necklace from which hangs a pendant. Her hair is up and white feathers surrounded diamond stars sit on her head. The photograph is blurred. The studio background is a carved chair and high side board, net and brocade curtains and a fur draped over the back of a chair. Helen was born in 1837 to Thomas Anderson and Helen Lawrence. Helen Anderson married William McEwan in 1885, their daughter, born in 1863, was a witness at the wedding. William and Helen had a long and close relationship, we don't know why they didn't marry before but perhaps it was due to Helen's lowly background and that William's family did not approve. William recognised Margaret as his child and made her his sole heir. Margaret was always very close to her parents, especially her father. Helen died on 3 September 1906, before Margaret moved to Polesden, she is buried in Highgate Cemetery.
Marks and inscriptions
Bottom right hand corner: Weyde embossed
Makers and roles
Henry Van der Weyde (1838 - 1924), photographer