Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot) (1819-1880)

This is a copy made by François d'Albert-Durade of an original painting by Durade made in 1850. Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot) was staying with the Durade family in Geneva when the original portrait was made. A number of Eliot’s contemporaries commented on her plain looks, but Durade has portrayed her in an attractive light. Perhaps he sensed her inner intelligence and creativity and wanted to draw attention to this. Eliot married John Cross in May 1880, a few months before her death on 22 December 1880. This copy was made for Cross by Durade in 1881.