Image: The Queen, 3 Nov 1894.

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• History:
  • 1894/1895 – Notes by Mike Stewart: “exhibited in 1894 and in 1895 at exhibitions of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts. The lady here spiritedly depicted is Mrs. E. E. Houghton, a cousin of Mr. Walter Crane, and she herself both an authoress and artist of note. She is represented seated, and is wearing a yellowish dress of light material. The artist, Miss Dacre, studied at Julien’s in Paris, and afterwards in Italy. She is a member of the Manchester Academy, and is well known in that city as a leading portrait painter (The Queen, 3 Nov 1894). 1895: The portrait of Mrs. Houghton No 136 “is an admirable piece of work her we have an instance of colour accompaniment suited to the flesh tints, and rich mass of hair peculiar to the physiognomy of the talented lady represented in this canvas, although the likeness is not a “Counterfeit presentment”. The pose is easy, and the sparkle of intelligence in the eyes is rendered with rare ability. This piece of pictorial portraiture may be ranked with the best work of a similar kind in the British school of the present time (Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 1 Feb 1895). The portrait was also exhibited in 1895 at Liverpool Art Gallery as well as at the Manchester Art Gallery on Mosely Street; and in 1896 at the Manchester Art Gallery on Mosely Street. [1.]
• Location: ?

No. 9. “A PORTRAIT.” BY S. ISABEL DACRE. / The lady here spiritedly depicted is Mrs E. E. Houghton, a cousin of Mr Walter Crane, and she herself both an authoress and artist of note. She is represented seated, and is wearing a yellowish dress of light material. The artist, Miss Dacre, studied at Julien’s in Paris, and afterwards in Italy. She is a member of the Manchester Academy, and is well known in that city as a leading portrait painter.

The Queen, 3 Nov 1894.

The subject is Ellen Elizabeth Houghton, 1853-1922, artist and illustrator of children’s books.

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Page last updated 26 Aug 2025.