Mary Walker Waugh

Mary Walker Waugh was the artist’s mother-in-law, and her portrait was painted at an especially troubled time in their lives. Waugh’s daughter, who was married to the artist, had passed away unexpectedly in recent months. It is likely that this portrait was commissioned to help distract the family from grief. Nevertheless, references to loss of life infiltrate the composition: the sitter wears black mourning attire, and behind her is a screen decorated with red poppies, a traditional symbol of death and consolation.