#margaret henderson

Miss Margaret Henderson (1900), by J.W. Waterhouse

The Alexander Henderson family was of considerable importance at the turn of the century.  He had gained a fortune by investing in real estate and the railway industry and together with two of his sons, they used their wealth for buying prominent art.  Waterhouse became befriended with them, which resulted in several commissions and some people argue that all his later works were made to please the family.  The portrayed figure is probably the 21-year old daughter, although no other images from her are known to exist and little is known about her life.  Nowadays it is hard to imagine how patriarchal society was in those days.

The portrait is in many ways traditional: its warm colours against a dark background and the probably idealized beauty of the subject.  Waterhouse gave it a personal touch by adding the rose to the garment.  The expression of the woman, with a touch of fear, suggests her mind is with much bigger subjects than posing for a 30 years older painter.