The photographs:
Madonnas and Angelic Children
Julia Margaret CAMERON
British, 1815–79
Mary Hillier as Madonna, c. 1865
albumen silver photograph
15.6 x 20.0 cm
The Wilson Centre for Photography
84:1562
Cameron's original title for this photograph is unknown. In 1864 she began
a series of nine photographs called Fruits of the spirit with titles such as
Love, Faith, Temperance and Long suffering. The majority depict a Madonna
figure or divine mother costumed in Biblical dress. While several also
include one or more children who represent spiritual purity.
This photograph is a variant of both Faith and Long suffering. The models are the same in all
three images and are placed in identical positions. The differences between
them are subtle, such as a slight turn of a head or shift in expression.
Cameron often sought to express such ideal principles as 'faith' or 'truth'
in her photographs.
|
