Sara Hennell Or Caroline Bray (Nee Hennell)

Place: Hackney

Born: 1812

Death: 1899

Biography:

Sara Sophia Hennell was a British author and artist born on November 23, 1812, in Hackney, London. She was closely associated with George Eliot and Charles Christian Hennell and Caroline and Charles Bray. Sara first met George Eliot in 1842 at Rosehill, the Coventry home of her sister and brother-in-law, Cara and Charles Bray.

Early Life and Career

Sara was the seventh of eight children in the Unitarian family of James and Elizabeth Hennell. Her mother was born in Loughborough in 1778. Sara's eldest sister was Mary Hennell and her youngest was Caroline Bray. The sisters are considered to be the basis for the characters in some of George Eliot's novels. Sara became close friends with George Eliot in the 1840s and moved to Coventry from Hackney in London in 1851. This watercolour shows The Chapel, Hackney around the time she relocated to Coventry to live next door to her sister Cara Bray. The juxtaposition of the chapel and the agricultural scene in the foreground highlights the urban and rural aspects of the area.

Artistic Style and Works

Sara's artistic style is characterized by her use of watercolour, which she used to create captivating landscapes and portraits. Her works include Churchyard and porch, wooded far view big house, The Chapel, Hackney, and Self-portrait, Sara Hennell (1812-1889). These paintings are now part of the collection at The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry, United Kingdom. Some of her notable works can be found on Wikioo.org, including Churchyard and porch, wooded far view big house and The Chapel, Hackney.

Influence and Legacy

Sara's association with George Eliot and her family had a significant influence on her writing and artistic style. Her works reflect the intellectual sophistication and artificial qualities of the time. Sara's legacy as an artist and author is still celebrated today, with her paintings and writings providing valuable insights into the lives of women during the 19th century.

• Watercolour was a popular medium for artists during the 19th century, and Sara's use of it reflects her interest in capturing the beauty of landscapes and portraits.
• Somerville College in Oxford, United Kingdom, has an impressive collection of artworks, including those by Roger Eliot Fry, George Romney, and Ivon Hitchens.
• Sara's works can be found on Wikioo.org, along with other notable artists and their works.

Sara Hennell Or Caroline Bray (Nee Hennell) was a talented artist and author who left a lasting legacy in the world of art and literature. Her association with George Eliot and her family, as well as her own artistic style, make her an important figure in British cultural history.