This charming late 19th-century portrait by British artist Eden Upton Eddis (1812-1901) depicts a young Muriel Paget Bowman (c.1876-1928), the daughter of Sir William Paget Bowman, a barrister, and Lady Emily Bowman (née Swabey).

Eden Upton Eddis was a highly accomplished portraitist who exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy. As we see here, underpinning his talent with oils, he was primarily a superb draughtsman. There’s something a little Pre-Raphaelite about this image and it’s less conventional than many of his other works. There’s imagination, a story - a timeless quality.

It’s interesting that Muriel’s grandfather, Sir William Bowman, commissioned the design of an Arts and Crafts style house (Joldwynds), which was lauded by many architects. Perhaps the Paget Bowmans were also admirers of the Brotherhood - the portrait would fit well within that context.

The National Portrait Gallery holds over 100 works by Eddis and this is a good example of his skill with charcoal.

Muriel Paget Bowman married Samuel Forde Redley (1862-1944), an MP, in 1896 and the couple had three children. She hailed from Paddington, Middlesex.

Framed and glazed.

Learn more about Eden Upton Eddis in our directory.

Medium: Charcoal heightened in white on paper
Overall size: 21½” x 27” / 55cm x 69cm
Year of creation: 1888
Condition: Artwork presents well. Frame with some wear including a few surface losses.
Artist’s auction highlight: £12,000 achieved for an oil painting in 2007.
Our reference: BRV1201