Clementina Hawarden, Clementina Maude

Clementina Maude, Viscountess Hawarden (1822-1865) was a British photographer known for her pioneering work in the field of portrait photography in the mid-19th century. Born Clementina Elphinstone Fleeming in Scotland, she married Cornwallis Maude, who later became the 4th Viscount Hawarden. Viscountess Hawarden took up photography in the early 1860s and quickly gained recognition for her innovative and artistic approach to portraiture. She primarily photographed her own family, including her eight children, often using them as models for her elaborate and staged compositions. Her photographs were characterised by their intimate and domestic nature, with an emphasis on capturing the inner lives of her subjects. Viscountess Hawarden's photographs were highly regarded for their technical skill and aesthetic quality. She experimented with various photographic techniques, including multiple exposures and soft focus, to create dreamlike and ethereal images. Her use of natural light and carefully arranged compositions added a sense of theatricality to her work. Although she pursued photography for only a few years before her untimely death at the age of 42, Viscountess Hawarden left behind a significant body of work. Her photographs were exhibited at the Photographic Society of London and received critical acclaim. Today, her images are recognised as important contributions to the early history of photography and continue to inspire contemporary photographers.