George Eliot by Francois D’Albert-Durade

From 1849 to 1850 George Eliot stayed with the Durade family in their home in Geneva, Switzerland. Durade was an artist and in February 1850 he painted Eliot. After Eliot’s death in 1880 her husband asked Durade to make another copy of the portrait. This is that last copy.

George Eliot was famously shy, partly because of her strong features. In this portrait Durade has painted a likeness which shows Eliot’s inner beauty and strength.

Find out more about the story behind the portrait in this short film.