Annie Besant (née Wood)
- Artist: Walter Stoneman
- Date: 1900
- Medium: bromide print
- Dimensions: 6 1/2 in. x 4 7/8 in. (165 mm x 123 mm) overall
- Portrays: Annie Besant (née Wood)
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is a bromide print titled “Annie Besant (née Wood)”. The portrait shows her seated in a simple chair, framed by a low backdrop that draws attention to her face and hands. Besant wears a long‑sleeved Victorian blouse under an Indian sari, a striking mix of Western and Eastern fabrics that hints at her dual cultural identity. Jewelry pendants dangle from her neck, adding texture against the muted background. The image captures the calm intensity typical of early 20th‑century portraiture, while Walter Stoneman’s copy preserves its original detail with crisp halftones.
See it in person
Annie Besant (née Wood) 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.
