Hidden in Print: International Women’s Day Event
Demi Sheridan, Editorial Assistant
Hidden in Print: International Women’s Day Event at The Portico Library this March.
The Portico Library holds a treasure trove of first editions by some of the most celebrated female writers of the nineteenth century, including Elizabeth Gaskell and George Eliot. But beyond these literary giants, its collection also reveals the work of pioneering female art historians, translators, and artists—women who carved out independent careers in a world that often sought to confine them.
In this illuminating talk, cultural historian and Creative Producer Dr Debbie Challis will guide audiences through the literary influences and social circles of mid-Victorian artist Ann Mary Severn Newton. Illustrated with rare books from The Portico’s collection, the event will uncover the reading habits of Newton and her connections to influential women of the time, such as art critic Anna Brownell Jameson and philosopher-translator Frances Bunsen.
More than just a glimpse into the past, this talk highlights the intellectual and creative networks that shaped women’s roles beyond the restrictive “Angel in the House” stereotype. Join us for a fascinating exploration of art, literature, and the remarkable women who defied convention.
