Violet Manners, Duchess of Rutland
Lady Violet Manners, Duchess of Rutland ( * March 7, 1856, † December 22, 1937 in London) was a British art patron and artist.
Life
Marion Margaret Violet Lindsay was the second daughter of seven children of Colonel Honorable Sir Charles Hugh Lindsay (1816-1889) and his wife Lady Emilia Anne Browne ( 1830-1873 ). Her childhood revolved around perfect behavior and the social representation. She was taught entirely at home by governesses and tutors with the help of her father's library. In addition to geography, history, mathematics, art, dance and music - Violet also learned French and Italian. Her artistic talent was also encouraged by their parents, in which they allowed a months-long study trip to Italy.
On November 25, 1882 Violet Lindsay married in London the aristocrats Henry John Brinsley Manners, 8th Duke of Rutland ( 1852-1925 ), the only son of John James Robert Manners, 7th Duke of Rutland and his first wife Lady Catherine Louisa Georgina Marley. The marriage, which by all accounts was happy, five children were born:
- Victoria Marjorie Harriet (1883-1946) ∞ 1912 Sir Charles Henry Alexander Paget, 6th Marquess of Anglesey
- Robert Charles John (1885-1894), Lord Haddon
- John Henry Montaqu (1886-1940), 9th Duke of Rutland ∞ 1916 Lady Kathleen Tennant
- Violet Catherine (1888-1931)
- Diana Olivia Winifred Maud (1892-1947) ∞ 1919 Sir Alfred Duff Cooper, 1st Viscount Norwich
The couple later led an open relationship. Well known is the love affair of Lady Violet with the former private secretary to the British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, Sir Montagu William Lowry - Corry, 1st Baron Rowton ( 1838-1903 ). From the relationship her two daughters will be emerged.
Between 1877-1890 Lady Violet turned her charcoal and pencil drawings in the London galleries, including the Royal Academy of Arts, Fine Art Society, Grosvenor Gallery and the New Gallery, as well as in France and the United States. In the later years Lady Violet gained a reputation as a patron of the arts and often organized small exhibitions in her London salon. Among her proteges included the painter Sir James Jebusa Shannon, George Frederick Watts and actor Herbert Beerbohm Tree, Ellen Terry and Mrs. Patrick Campbell.
Violet Manners, Duchess of Rutland died in her London townhouse from the effects of surgery and was at Belvoir Castle, next to her husband, buried.
Works (selection)
Portrait of Norah Lindsay, Pencil Drawing, 1886/1899
Portrait of Henry John Brinsley Manners, 8th Duke of Rutland, pencil drawing, 1891
Portrait of Lady Diana Cooper, Pencil Drawing, 1906