Roussel: The Reading Girl
Roussel: The Reading Girl
Roussel: The Reading Girl
Roussel: The Reading Girl
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Théodore Roussel

The Reading Girl, 1886–7

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About the artwork
This life-size nude was first shown at the New English Art club in 1887. Critics were scandalised, and The Spectator wrote that: 'Our imagination fails to conceive any adequate reason for a picture of this sort. It is realism of the worst kind, the artist's eye seeing only the vulgar outside of his model, and reproducing that callously and brutally. No human being, we should imagine, could take any pleasure in such a picture as this; it is a degradation of Art'. The model was Hetty Pettigrew, a popular model for many artists at the time, and Roussel’s mistress.
Abstract Art
  • Artist Théodore Roussel
  • Artwork The Reading Girl
  • Date of work 1886–7
  • Credit Oil paint on canvas 152.4 x 161.3 cm

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Théodore Casimir Roussel (1847–1926) was an English painter. He began his career in art in his mid twenties, and was mostly self-taught. James McNeill Whistler, as a friend and mentor, was an influence on his work, and they shared a passion for Japanese art, which can be seen in Roussel’s paintings. Despite beginning his public career with the controversial nude The Reading Girl, his later work was primarily landscapes, painted from his home in Parsons Green. Roussel went on to exhibit regularly with the Royal Society of British Artists, the Royal Scottish Academy, and became a founding member of the Allied Artists’ Association.
DELIVERIES AND RETURNS
Delivery times
We aim to deliver custom prints within 2-4 weeks. As each print is handmade to order they take a little longer to prepare. We’ll dispatch your order as soon as it is ready, separately from any other items.
We currently offer free standard delivery on all UK orders over £60. Here’s more information on delivery.
Refunds and returns
As custom prints are made to order, unfortunately we cannot accept returns if you have changed your mind or made a mistake. If we have made a mistake, or there is a problem with your order, then please contact our customer service team at shop@tate.org.uk.
Here’s more information on refunds & returns.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When will my order be delivered?

We aim to deliver your made-to-order custom print within 1-2 weeks for UK orders, and within 2-4 weeks for international delivery. You can see an estimated delivery date on the product page, on the green banner above the size and frame options.

Our custom prints are produced and shipped directly from our print workshop and arrive separately to all other items. You can learn more about delivery here.

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The best thing to do is email us as soon as possible at shop@tate.org.uk or call us on +44 (0)207 887 8888 with your order number, ideally within 24 hours. Please note that as custom prints are made to order, if production has already started, we won’t be able to make any amendments to the print itself, but we can change your delivery name and address if the order has not been dispatched yet.

I've changed my mind, can I cancel my order?

As custom prints are made to order, unfortunately you can’t cancel your order after production has started (typically within 24 hours). If you get in touch with us within 24 hours, our team will check on the status of your order and do whatever they can to help you out. 

Can I return my print?

Because our prints and frames are made to order, custom prints can only be returned if they’re faulty or we’ve made a mistake. If this is the case, please contact us straight away with details and images of the problem, so we can arrange for a refund or replacement for you. You can find further information regarding refunds and returns here.  

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About Our Prints

Our custom prints are high-quality, made-to-order fine art print reproductions of Tate collection and exhibition artworks. Available in a choice of sizes and hand-made frames, they’re created using state of the art technology and sustainably sourced materials by our Sussex-based print specialists.
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