Henrietta, the first female recognized as a pastel artist,
supported her family by drawing portraits with colored chalk on paper.
Born in France of Huguenot parents who immigrated to London,
Henrietta married Robert Dering, fifth son of Sir Edward Dering, Baronet and
with him went to Ireland. During her stay in Ireland, Henrietta began to draw
pastels depicting some of her powerful relatives.
When Dering died, leaving Henrietta with two daughters, she
married clergyman Gideon Johnston. Shortly thereafter, The Church of England sent Johnson with
his family, to serve as commissary of the Church of England in North and South
Carolina. Their time in the colonies was extremely difficult because his salary
rarely came and he was often ill. In 1709, Johnston wrote “Were it not for the
assistance my wife gives by drawing pictures (which can last but a little time
in a place so ill peopled), I should not be able to live.” Johnston died in
1716.
Not much is known of her later life in the colonies except
she must have gone to New York City because four of her portraits of family
members from that city are dated 1725. She is buried in Charleston, South Carolina
with Johnston.
No comments:
Post a Comment