Lady Butler

War artist and traveller, 1846–1933

Catherine Wynne

'[An] engaging biography of one of Victorian Britain’s most spectacularly forgotten artists ... this is a history book as much as an artist biography, and Wynne takes an intelligent look at aspects of British colonialism and the gendered nature of Victorian society, as well as telling the story of one woman’s life. The author draws on a cast of real-life characters who wrote letters, kept journals and published their travel writing and autobiographies. Elizabeth comes alive between the pages, often in her own words ... Wynne’s skill is to anchor Elizabeth Butler in her own time, while allowing us to see and read her achievements, ambitions and particular skill through 21st-century eyes. Elizabeth’s paintings tend to be uplifting, despite their grim subject matter. She finds heroes to show us, and this book contains colour illustrations. Wynne’s descriptions and interpretations are insightful, informed and nuanced ... Lady Butler lived a life of travel, passion and strong opinion. She also produced some enduringly remarkable paintings. Wynne argues that she “should be better known and celebrated. The time has come for her to have her place." This book presents a persuasive argument that she deserves it', Cristín Leach, Sunday Times (April 2019).

'This sumptuous, superbly illustrated book, in the coffee table style, is the first comprehensive biography of Elizabeth Butler ... In this splendid book the reader is introduced to Lady Butler ... A fascinating biography which is sure to become the standard work on Lady Butler and her evocative and historically important pictures', Military History Society (2019).

'[A] detailed study of the rich tapestry of Lady Butler’s art ... Beautifully mounted and the art images exquisitely reproduced, even without detailed prior knowledge of the subject matter, the book is a highly accessible and engaging read ... Elizabeth Butler died at the age of 86 in October 1933. A remarkable life indeed and, after absorbing her fascinating story and re-viewing her fantastically moving artwork, I do indeed share Catherine Wynne’s comment that Lady Butler’s life should most certainly be celebrated', The Emerald (2019).

'Catherine Wynne's informative and well-designed book is a biography of the English painter Elizabeth Thompson, later Lady Butler, whose marriage led to her becoming an adopted Irishwoman. Considerable use is made of private, family archive material to shed new light on her life', Philip McEvansoneya, Irish Arts Review (Summer 2019).

'The book is ... a detailed study of the rich tapestry of Lady Butler's art but also provides an insight into some of the societal and political flows during the second half of the 19th century and the first part of the last. Beautifully mounted and the art images exquisitely reproduced, even without detailed prior knowledge of the subject matter, the book is a highly accessible and engaging read... Lady Butler's life should most certainly be celebrated ... highly recommended ' - London Irish Rites Association (June 2019).