Portrait of Mrs Constance Sladen

Constance Sladen (1848–1906) was a talented artist who exhibited works in London galleries. In 1904, she became one of the first women to join the Linnean Society of London, a scientific society that is still active today.

She was married to the biologist and collector (Walter) Percy Sladen. Following his death in 1900, Constance donated Percy’s collection to RAMM. She also paid for his gallery, Sladen’s Study, to be created.

You can find out more about Constance and Percy Sladen on RAMM’s collections site.

Visual description: Constance Sladen is depicted in a seated, three-quarter-length portrait, directly facing the viewer. She is a middle-aged woman with grey hair that is tied up. She is wearing a blue evening gown with a pink pattern and trim.

She has a string of pearls around her neck and is wearing white elbow-length gloves. In her lap, she holds a closed fan. Her hair is off her face, likely tied at the back of her head. The chair is partially seen left and right, and the background is a melee of mottled colours.