About this objectRose Pettigrew was around 13 years old when she sat for this painting. Rose and her two sisters were established artist’s models who had already sat for important artists such as John Everett Millais (1829-1896) and James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) before modelling for Steer. However, being an artist’s model was a vulnerable position for a young girl. There was likely a power imbalance with the 29-year-old Steer. Rose wrote in her diary:
‘I love posing for Philip; and first of all posed for little money as I thought he was very poor, and child as I was, wanted to help him’.
MakerSteer, Philip Wilson (1860-1942)
Maker Rolepainter
Date Made1889
Period19th century
Medium and Materialsmedium: oil
support: canvas
Style and IconographyImpressionist
Style and IconographyPortrait
Techniqueoil on canvas
Measurementssupport height: 61 cm
support width: 50.8 cm
Credit LinePresented by Mrs Catherine Hamilton, 1959
