Portrait of Dora Wheeler

A portrait of an artist and designer surrounds its sitter with the textile world she helped create.

What to notice

Compare Dora Wheeler’s face and dark dress with the richly embroidered silk behind her; the background works almost like a second portrait of her profession.

Discover

Wheeler studied with Chase before joining her mother in a pioneering women-run decorating firm. The portrait links personal likeness with her work in luxury textile design and won international recognition soon after it was painted.