Dorothy Wilding. Dorothy Frances Edith Wilding (10 January 1893 – 9 February 1976) was a noted English professional portrait photographer from Gloucester, who established successful studios in both London and New York. She is known for her portraits of the British Royal Family, some of which were used to illustrate postage stamps, and in particular for her studies of actors and celebrities which expertly fused glamour with modernist elegance. The historian Val Williams notes Wilding’s combination of business savvy and deep understanding of aesthetic impact: ‘nobody knew better than Dorothy Wilding the power of the photograph to create or destroy the desired image. Reference: Wikipedia
Dorothy Wilding began her photographic career as an apprentice to Bond Street photographer Marian Neilson. Wilding was the first woman to be appointed as the Official Royal Photographer for the 1937 Coronation and opened a second studio in New York in the same year. She is best known for her brightly lit linear compositions photographed in high key lighting against a white background. Her autobiography In Pursuit of Perfection was published in 1958. Reference: The National Portrait Gallery
Dorothy Wilding by Dorothy Wilding cream-toned bromide print on tissue and card mount, mid 1920s
Reference: The National Portrait Gallery
GEORGE VI AND ELIZABETH II
Portrait photograph signed and dated on the mount (“George R.I. 1939”), standing three-quarter-length, in uniform, signed by the photographer (“Bertram Park“) on the mount, in silver electroformed silver frame; a portait photograph of George VI and family with Princess Margaret at the piano, by Dorothy Wilding, signed on the mount; and a portrait photograph of Elizabeth II, signed and dated 1964 on the mount, both in presentation frames (3)
Sold for £ 4,062 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2019
THE ROYAL FAMILY OF GEORGE VI — A photograph by Dorothy Wilding of George VI, Queen Elizabeth and the two princesses royal in their coronation robes, 1937, with their signatures below, 277 x 275mm., framed and glazed.
Sold for GBP 9,375 at Christie’s in 2012
ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER: (1900-2002) Queen Consort of King George VI. An excellent, large vintage signed 21 x 29 photograph of Queen Elizabeth in a half length pose. Photograph by Dorothy Wilding. Signed (‘Elizabeth R’) in fountain pen ink to the lower photographer’s mount, directly beneath the image, and dated 1940 in her hand. Framed and glazed in the original plain wooden frame to an overall size of 25 x 33. Some extremely minor, light smudging to the signature and a few very light scuffs to the image, otherwise VG
Sold for £400 at International Autograph Auctions in 2019
Dorothy Wilding (English, 1893-1976) ‘The Bat’ Silver Print Photograph c.1927, pencil signed lower left, depicting a female dancer Condition: Very Good, minor foxing and warping on photograph; minor tears in paper backing; not examined out of frame Height: 12.75 inches, Width: 9.00 inches (sight) Frame Size: 16.75 inches by 12.50 inches
Sold for $180 at Leonard Auction, Inc. in 2019
Dorothy Wilding, 1893-1976 PORTRAIT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II, 1952 Silver Bromide Print, mounted on tissue and then on card, signed in ink on the tissue mount, framed and glazed, not examined out of frame, approx. 290 by 220mm
This print is part of a series of images, taken at the time of the Queen’s coronation, which were used on stamps at the beginning of her reign.
Sold for 1,680 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2005
