Painting of Annie Besant

[Christina Bradstreet]

Hi,
I am an art historian at the Paul Mellon Centre in London writing a book on scent in 19th century art. I am researching a picture that I understand to be of Annie Besant and which I believe was in her possession by 1910 when it was reproduced in Penrose Pictorial Album. Annie Besant is shown towering over an incense burner. The artist was clearly influenced by Divisionism. I am trying to find out who the painting was by and any other information about it. If any one has any comments on the artist, the symbolism of the painting or if you are able to put me in touch with an expert in this field, I would be extremely grateful indeed.
Many thanks,
Dr. Christina Bradstreet

[Katinka Hesselink]

I would say it doesn't look like Annie Besant.

Symbolism? Well - the incense goes in three's - which is a good theosophical number. I guess the lady looks like she's in trance or raptures or something.

The thing she holds in her hands, over her hearth, may be something. The heart does stand for the soul perhaps. In theosophy heart wisdom is rated over head wisdom.

The light around the ladies head may be an aura of the classic kind, but may also be seen as a reference to the theosophical aura or a halo.

[michaelcarlo]

The Heart is the organ of the Higher Self. Perhaps the moment of enlightenment.When the Higher Self reaches down and crosses the Antakaranic bridge and absorbs the lower self in unifying bliss.

[christinaleestemaker]

Great!!!

[Mark Newbold]

Having read several bios, seen extant films and photos of Besant I have to concur w/ Katinka, it has no facial resemblance to Besant even as a young woman. If it is discovered that Besant was the subject of this piece then the artist took great liberties in imagining his intended model. It strikes me as more inspired by the literary work of Marie Correlli specifically her novels "Ziska" or "Ardath" & art nouveau Egyptian revivalism.

[Christina Bradstreet]

Thanks to all for your comments. I've since realised that it is not necessarily of Annie but that it was dedicated to her and seemingly in her possession in 1910. I will look into the Corelli references. Many thanks!

[Christina Bradstreet]

I only have a reproduction from the Penrose Pictorial Album 1910, not access to the actual work, which I have not located. The signature is almost illegible but might read B. de Tokaly. I haven't been able to track down any artists with that name or similar but if this sounds familar to anyone, I would love to hear from them.

I'm not aware of any works in this style by Annie?
Thanks!

[christinaleestemaker]

How you came by the name Annie Besant, than you must see it in this aquarel left under, there has been written under the dress.I searched for Tokaly it could be a Hongarian artist

Why this album is not to be find by google?

[christinaleestemaker]

Also known as: Mary Corelli, Maria Corelli, Marie Corelli pseud. [i.e. Mary Mackay.]



Books by Marie Corelli Date of birth 1855-05-01 Date of death 1924-04-21






combine/separate works?

* The Sorrows of Satan 53 copies
* Wormwood 32 copies, 3 reviews
* A Romance of Two Worlds 28 copies, 2 reviews
* Thelma 21 copies, 1 review
* Barabbas: A Dream of the World's Tragedy 16 copies
* Ardath: The Story of a Dead Self 15 copies, 1 review
* Vendetta 14 copies
* The Life Everlasting: A Reality of Romance 13 copies
* Ziska: The Problem of a Wicked Soul 12 copies, 1 review
* The Master Christian 12 copies
* The Mighty Atom 11 copies, 1 review
* The Soul of Lilith 8 copies
* Temporal Power: A Study in Supremacy 7 copies
* THE TREASURE OF HEAVEN a Romance of Riches 6 copies
* God's good man;: A simple love-story, 5 copies
* In Love and War: A Letter to My Parents (Short Lives) 3 copies
* Innocent Her Fancy and His Fact 3 copies
* Jane: A Social Incident 3 copies, 1 review
* Holy Orders: The Tragedy of A Quiet Life 3 copies
* The Secret Power 3 copies
* CAMEOS 2 copies
* Boy: A Sketch 2 copies
* Poems 2 copies
* The Love of Long Ago and other stories 2 copies
* Murder of Delicia 1 copy
* The Modern Marriage Market. By Marie Corelli, Lady Jeune, Flora Annie… 1 copy
* Boy 1 copy
* The Passing of the Great Queen (Dodo Press) 1 copy
* Silence of the Maharajah 1 copy
* To Verdener 1 copy
* A Christmas Greeting 1 copy
* Delicia 1 copy
* Letters on the Simple Life 1 copy

[christinaleestemaker]

[christinaleestemaker]

So now I ask myself why it could not be Annie Besant, see nose and lips and mostly Aquarels are figuraly or more abstract. So if on that painting has been written Annie Besant and you can read the painter, than he meant her. So than she is Annie Besant.

[Nabil Naser]

Sorry that I can't help. I did notice however that there are 3 streaks of light.