[Mrs. Rigby]

Mrs. Anne Rigby (1777-1872) moved to Edinburgh from Norfolk, England, in 1842, accompanied by her daughters Matilda (1815-date unknown) and Elizabeth (1809-93) (see 84.XP.460.7). Described by one relative as "a bright, clever, energetic woman," Mrs. Rigby "was a strict disciplinarian as to punctuality" who "never allowed her children to have 'nerves.'" The severity of this full-length standing portrait, taken in three-quarter view by Hill and Adamson (David Octavius Hill [1802-70] and Robert Adamson [1821-48]), emphasizes her strong character. The white, lace pelerine is contrasted with the dark dress, whose leaf pattern echoes the blurred foliage in the background. (See other portraits of Mrs. Rigby: 84.XO.734.4.3.4, 84.XO.734.4.2.46 and 84.XO.608.4).

Adapted from Anne M. Lyden. Hill and Adamson, In Focus: Photographs from the J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum, 1999), 52. ©1999, J. Paul Getty Museum.