Lady Colin Campbell

Gertrude Elizabeth Blood or Lady Colin Campbell was 40 years old when Giovanni Boldini painted this portrait of her. After what is said to be the longest divorce in recorded English history, she was doing everything to become an independent woman. This was not easy for her since her divorce had been considered scandalous and her ex-husband had accused her of being unfaithful four times. Even though she had fallen from her husbands higher society standing, she continued on to be an art critic and a journalist, having books and many articles published. She was even admired for her athletic abilities.
This oil on canvas painting of her at the National Portrait Gallery shows how she wanted her peers to view her and that she wanted to keep command of her image. In this painting the little details such as the flowers or her feet partially tucked under her seem to be her wanting to be portrayed as a lady. Yet the bigger details like the black low cut dress and her relaxed curved figure mixed with her seductive gaze seem to be her wanting the viewer to know that she is powerful and in control.
This is only heightened by Giovanni Boldini's disregard of normal human anatomy. Technically a dress could not be that low cut without showing something, yet her chest remains flat. It would also appear that her head is just a little to small for the rest of her body. Regardless of that Gertrude wished for it to go to the National Portrait Gallery.

Citation:
National Portrait Gallery. www.npg.org.uk. National Portrait Gallery, London, 2013. Web. 20 June 2013.

Anne Jordan. www.ladycolincampbell.co.uk. 2010. Web. 20 June 2013.