Woman Holding a Dead Bird, Surrey County Asylum

c. 1855

Dr. Hugh Welch Diamond

Associated Names
Dr. Hugh Welch Diamond

Artist, British, 1809 - 1886

The image shows a woman seated with her torso and head visible. She is looking slightly off to the side, with her body turned at an angle. Her facial expressions suggest a relaxed demeanor, and she has light-colored hair styled in a long braid hanging over one shoulder. She wears a checkered dress with a high collar, a patterned scarf tied around her neck, a woven straw hat on her head, and a shawl draped over one shoulder. She holds a small bird in her hands. The background is a plain, curtain-like fabric.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    albumen silver print

  • Credit Line

    Patrons' Permanent Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 15.8 x 12.1 cm (6 1/4 x 4 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1995.36.78


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

David and Mary Robinson, Sausalito, CA; NGA purchase, 1995.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1999

  • Photographs from the Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1999.

2019

  • The Eye of the Sun: Nineteenth-Century Photographs from the National Gallery of Art, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2019, unnumbered catalogue.

Bibliography

1977

  • Gilman, Sander L., ed. The Face of Madness: Hugh W. Diamond and the Origin of Psychiatric Photography. New York, 1977: pl. 27 and cover.

Wikidata ID

Q64146945

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