Anna Seward
- Artist: Tilly Kettle
- Date: 1762
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 29 in. x 24 1/2 in. (737 mm x 622 mm)
- Portrays: Anna Seward
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
Before you is a portrait of Anna Seward painted by Tilly Kettle in 1762. The artist worked with oil on canvas, giving the work a subtle depth of colour. In this image Seward sits relaxed, a book open before her – its title block reads “Milton”, so we can see that she was reading his verse. The sitter, born 1742 and living until 1809, was a self‑taught poet who earned the nickname Swan of Lichfield for her literary work. Kettle renders her hands on the pages with fine detail, capturing a study in focus and a quiet grace.
See it in person
Anna Seward is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
