Widows Weeds Collection

An officer's widow in mourning dress presents her son to the Commander in Chief for admission to a military school
FLO4669258 An officer's widow in mourning dress presents her son to the Commander in Chief for admission to a military school at Horse Guards. Steel engraving by T

"Grief" - painted by Schlessenger, 1857. Creator: Schlessenger. "Grief" - painted by Schlessenger
"Grief" - painted by Schlessenger, 1857. There's good in tears, or they had not been sent By Him who is all good

The Mourning Widow, c.1860-c.1865. Creator: Diederik Franciscus Jamin
The Mourning Widow, c.1860-c.1865

A Victorian New Year card of a young woman in widows weeds, c. 1880 (colour litho)
3603827 A Victorian New Year card of a young woman in widows weeds, c.1880 (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; Photo eDavid Pearson; English, out of copyright

Portrait of Mary Tudor, from Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth
STC146165 Portrait of Mary Tudor, from Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth, published in 1825 (w/c and gouache on paper) by Essex

The Merry Widow, receiving her insurance money (colour litho)
2815841 The Merry Widow, receiving her insurance money (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Merry Widow, receiving her insurance money)

Marie Nichols, 1636 (oil on canvas)
SGS119984 Marie Nichols, 1636 (oil on canvas) by Troueil, Peter (fl.1636); 74.5x62.5 cm; The Berger Collection at the Denver Art Museum, USA; eBerger Collection Educational Trust; English

At the Pawnbroker s
CW13661 At the Pawnbrokers by Lamont, Thomas Reynolds (1826-98); Private Collection; eChristopher Wood Gallery, London, UK; English, out of copyright

A Widows Mite, 1870. Creator: John Everett Millais
A Widows Mite, 1870

Four Generations, ca. 1860. Creator: James Wallace Black
Four Generations, ca. 1860

Lady Roberts, c1870s, (1901). Creator: Maull & Fox
Lady Roberts, c1870s, (1901). Portrait of Lady Isabella Roberts (died 1882), mother of British army officer Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts. From " The Life and Deeds of Earl Roberts, Vol

Third Part of King Henry VI. Act 3. Scene 2. King Edward, Gloucester, Clarence & Lady Elizabeth Gre Artist
Third Part of King Henry VI. Act 3. Scene 2. King Edward, Gloucester, Clarence & Lady Elizabeth Grey, 1795. After William Hamilton (1751-1801)

Mourning habits, 14th century, (1910). Mourning dress from the reign of Edward III (ruled 1327-1377). The men wear a tight-fitting cote-hardi, buttoned down the front

Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria, in mourning
XAM66713 Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria, in mourning by Ducreux, Joseph (1735-1802); Akademie der Bildenden Kunste, Vienna, Austria; French, out of copyright

Unexpected, 1884-88 (oil on canvas)
BAL167052 Unexpected, 1884-88 (oil on canvas) by Repin, Ilya Efimovich (1844-1930); 160.5x167.5 cm; Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia; (add.info.: they did not expect him; ); Russian, out of copyright

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"Widows Weeds: A Glimpse into Mourning Fashion Through the Ages" Step back in time with a Victorian New Year card depicting a young woman dressed in widows weeds, circa 1880. This color lithograph captures the somber elegance of mourning attire during this era. Intriguingly, they were not exclusive to the Victorian period. Take for instance Mary Tudor, whose portrait from Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth showcases her draped in black garments as she mourns her husband's passing. The concept of widowhood and its associated clothing transcended borders and centuries. A French Lady of the 16th Century is depicted in an engraving wearing widows weeds, highlighting how this tradition reached far beyond England's shores. Moving forward to the 17th century, Marie Nichols' oil on canvas painting portrays a grieving widow adorned in dark attire. The depth of sorrow captured by Nichols serves as a poignant reminder of loss and grief experienced throughout history. Not limited to art alone, literature also delves into the significance of widows weeds. John Everett Millais' painting titled "A Widows Mite" draws inspiration from biblical references while exploring themes surrounding poverty and resilience amidst mourning. Photography too has immortalized this fashion trend. James Wallace Black's photograph titled "Four Generations" offers us a glimpse into familial bonds intertwined with bereavement as four women don their respective widows weeds during an uncertain time around 1860. Even prominent figures like Lady Roberts found themselves captured by Maull & Fox's lens while wearing these symbolic garments around the late 1870s. Their portrayal reminds us that mourning was not confined to social classes but affected individuals across society. Shakespearean plays such as "Third Part of King Henry VI" shed light on how even royalty embraced this custom.