Mrs Clara Rowell, 1884 by George William Baldry, “The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour, Mignard: The Power of Posing” at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery

George William Baldry was born in Norwich, Norfolk in 1834. Baldry trained as a land surveyor, his father’s profession, though his real interest was in painting and photography. He joined a photographers’ partnership, but from 1860 focused more on portrait painting and, together with his wife Mary, travelled round the country, staying at, amongst other places, Brighton, London, Ipswich, Newcastle upon Tyne and Skirlaugh in Yorkshire.

However, he struggled financially and was declared bankrupt on several occasions. Baldry had a number of children, and his daughter, Grace, and son Harry Leslie, both became artists specialising in figure painting.

Provenance: gift from Mr and Mrs C. F. Clayton Greene, 1969

Object description
Type: Easel Painting
Location: South Shields Museum, Tyne & Wear
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: George William Baldry (1834-1929)
Date: 1844

Image Details
Date: 31 August 2026
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Telephoto Camera 52mm ƒ/2.4
Focal Length: 52mm
Aperture: ƒ/2.4
Shutter Speed: 1/50s
ISO: 400
Licensing: Image of a North East Museums asset. This image cannot be licensed.