3-096-104 - "Royal Academy of Arts, London"/Heritage Images

Henrietta Ward, c1857. Henrietta Mary Ada Ward (1832-1924) was a historical and genre painter who studied at the Bloomsbury Art School and the academy started by Henry Sass. Ward was one of the most successful British women artists of her time. Her father, grandfather and husband were all artists. Her son became the Vanity Fair artist 'Spy'. From 1846 to 1904, Ward exhibited at the Royal Academy. Her historical genre painting explored female heroism, with subjects such as Joan of Arc and Mary Queen of Scots. She taught Queen Victoria's children, and received many royal commissions. Ward exhibited at home and abroad, including at the 1851 Great Exhibition, and was proposed for RA membership before women were eligible to join. In 1889, she signed a Declaration in Favour of Women's Suffrage, based on women's contribution to public life.