3-053-812 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Imogen," by Miss Louisa Starr, from the late Royal Academy exhibition, 1873. Engraving of a painting. 'The innovation made in recent years at the Royal Academy schools, whereby female students were admitted and allowed to compete, has already borne good fruit. More than one female student has carried off the first prize in the biennial...a number of young ladies are becoming fully qualified to support themselves by the professional practice of art. The career of these female artists, especially that of Miss Louisa Starr, who greatly distinguished herself by the picture with which she won the gold medal four or five years ago, has been and will be regarded with interest. The works she has since exhibited, comprising various subject- pictures and portraits, have been marked by conspicuous ability..."Imogen" is naturally one of Shakspeare's heroines most likely to attract a female pencil; not the less, perhaps, when she is disguised as a boy, and particularly when she draws her sword with an assumption of courage before venturing into the cave. The situation represented will be familiar to every reader of "Cymbeline." The famished wanderer in search of her banished husband is taking the food she finds within the cave'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.