Portrait of Violet Manners

Meet the 40 Most Famous Paintings by Violet Manners

Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 40 works by Violet Manners in our catalogue

In short

If you know one Violet Manners painting, it's probably Mr Henry Cust (1861–1917) (1892). The Lord Wantage (1832–1901), KCB, VC (1891) and Viscount Peel (1829–1912), DCL, When the Speaker (1891) round out the three pieces people recognise right away. Our catalogue has 40 works by Violet Manners. Below are the 40 people know best, each with its year, where to find it and what makes it special.

1856 – 1937 Contemporary realism Most works: Berlinische Galerie
Mr Henry Cust (1861–1917) (1892) by Violet Manners1. Mr Henry Cust (1861–1917) 1892 The Lord Wantage (1832–1901), KCB, VC (1891) by Violet Manners2. The Lord Wantage (1832–1901), KCB, VC 1891 Viscount Peel (1829–1912), DCL, When the Speaker (1891) by Violet Manners3. Viscount Peel (1829–1912), DCL, When the Speaker 1891

Start here: the top 10 Violet Manners paintings

More Violet Manners favourites, 11 to 40

11HRH Princess Henry of Battenberg (Princess Beatrice) (1857–1944) (1891) by Violet MannersHRH Princess Henry of Battenberg (Princess Beatrice) (1857–1944)1891 12The Marchioness of Granby, Later Duchess of Rutland (1856–1937), Mother of Marjorie, Violet and Diana Manners (self portrait) (1891) by Violet MannersThe Marchioness of Granby, Later Duchess of Rutland (1856–1937), Mother of Marjorie, Violet and Diana Manners (self portrait)1891 13Lady Rodd (1864–1951) (1894) by Violet MannersLady Rodd (1864–1951)1894 14The Lady Wantage (1837–1920) (1894) by Violet MannersThe Lady Wantage (1837–1920)1894 15Earl Cowper (1834–1905), KG (1894) by Violet MannersEarl Cowper (1834–1905), KG1894 16Henry, 8th Duke of Rutland, KG (1898) by Violet MannersHenry, 8th Duke of Rutland, KG1898 17Mrs George Batten (1857–1916) (1893) by Violet MannersMrs George Batten (1857–1916)1893 18The Duchess of Portland (1863–1954) (1898) by Violet MannersThe Duchess of Portland (1863–1954)1898 19The Duchess of Leinster (1864–1895) (1895) by Violet MannersThe Duchess of Leinster (1864–1895)1895 20Lord Boos of Belvoir, afterwards 9th Duke of Rutland (1886–1980) (1897) by Violet MannersLord Boos of Belvoir, afterwards 9th Duke of Rutland (1886–1980)1897 21Princess Troubetzkoy (Amelie Rives) (1863–1945) (1894) by Violet MannersPrincess Troubetzkoy (Amelie Rives) (1863–1945)1894 22Mrs E. Tennant, afterwards Lady Glenconner (1859–1920) (1895) by Violet MannersMrs E. Tennant, afterwards Lady Glenconner (1859–1920)1895 23Sir Gerald Portal (1858–1894), KC MA, Member of Lord Portal's Family (1894) by Violet MannersSir Gerald Portal (1858–1894), KC MA, Member of Lord Portal's Family1894 24Mrs Beerbohm Tree (1863–1937) (1899) by Violet MannersMrs Beerbohm Tree (1863–1937)1899 25The Lady Marjorie Manners, afterwards Marchioness of Anglesey, Daughter of the Duke of Rutland (1883–1946) (sister of Lady Diane Duff Cooper, née Manners) (1899) by Violet MannersThe Lady Marjorie Manners, afterwards Marchioness of Anglesey, Daughter of the Duke of Rutland (1883–1946) (sister of Lady Diane Duff Cooper, née Manners)1899 26Sir Rennell Rodd, afterwards Lord Rennell of Rodd (1858–1941), CB, KCMG (1881) by Violet MannersSir Rennell Rodd, afterwards Lord Rennell of Rodd (1858–1941), CB, KCMG1881 27Mrs J. Bagot (1864–1940) (1890) by Violet MannersMrs J. Bagot (1864–1940)1890 28Marquess of Salisbury (1830–1903), KG (1889) by Violet MannersMarquess of Salisbury (1830–1903), KG1889 · Berlinische Galerie 29Lady Katherine Thynne, afterwards Countess of Cromer (1865–1933) (1892) by Violet MannersLady Katherine Thynne, afterwards Countess of Cromer (1865–1933)1892 30Lady Ulrica Duncombe, afterwards Baring (1875–1935) (1896) by Violet MannersLady Ulrica Duncombe, afterwards Baring (1875–1935)1896 31Lady Dixon Poynder, afterwards the Lady Islington (Lady Dickson Poynder) (1869–1958) (1895) by Violet MannersLady Dixon Poynder, afterwards the Lady Islington (Lady Dickson Poynder) (1869–1958)1895 32Sir Algernon West (1832–1921), KCB (1899) by Violet MannersSir Algernon West (1832–1921), KCB1899 33Mrs Henry Cust (1867–1955) by Violet MannersMrs Henry Cust (1867–1955) 34The Countess of Westmoreland (1871–1910) by Violet MannersThe Countess of Westmoreland (1871–1910) 35Lady Helen Vincent, afterwards Viscountess d'Abernon (1866–1954) by Violet MannersLady Helen Vincent, afterwards Viscountess d'Abernon (1866–1954) 36Lady Randolph Spencer Churchill (1954–1921), CI, Mother of Sir Winston by Violet MannersLady Randolph Spencer Churchill (1954–1921), CI, Mother of Sir Winston 37Miss Pamela Plowden, now Pamela Countess of Lytton (1873 1874–1971) (daughter in law of Edward Bulwen Lytton, author) by Violet MannersMiss Pamela Plowden, now Pamela Countess of Lytton (1873 1874–1971) (daughter in law of Edward Bulwen Lytton, author) 38Megan Lloyd George (1902–1966) (1918) by Violet MannersMegan Lloyd George (1902–1966)1918 39Mrs Anne Maxwell Davis (d.1938) (1937) by Violet MannersMrs Anne Maxwell Davis (d.1938)1937 · Peterborough Museum - Art Gallery 40Lady Ribblesdale, née Tennant (1858–1911) by Violet MannersLady Ribblesdale, née Tennant (1858–1911)

What Violet Manners painted most

The four subjects that come up most often in these pieces, each with its best-known example.

Women 16 works

Miss Madeline Bourke, now Mrs Howard Whitbread (1878–1961) (1886), Violet Manners #9 Miss Madeline Bourke, now Mrs Howard Whitbread (1878–1961) 1886 HRH Princess Henry of Battenberg (Princess Beatrice) (1857–1944) (1891), Violet Manners #11 HRH Princess Henry of Battenberg (Princess Beatrice) (1857–1944) 1891 Lady Rodd (1864–1951) (1894), Violet Manners #13 Lady Rodd (1864–1951) 1894 The Lady Wantage (1837–1920) (1894), Violet Manners #14 The Lady Wantage (1837–1920) 1894

Royalty 5 works

John, 7th Duke of Rutland (1818–1906) (1890), Violet Manners #8 John, 7th Duke of Rutland (1818–1906) 1890 Henry, 8th Duke of Rutland, KG (1898), Violet Manners #16 Henry, 8th Duke of Rutland, KG 1898 Princess Troubetzkoy (Amelie Rives) (1863–1945) (1894), Violet Manners #21 Princess Troubetzkoy (Amelie Rives) (1863–1945) 1894 The Lady Marjorie Manners, afterwards Marchioness of Anglesey, Daughter of the Duke of Rutland (1883–1946) (sister of Lady Diane Duff Cooper, née Manners) (1899), Violet Manners #25 The Lady Marjorie Manners, afterwards Marchioness of Anglesey, Daughter of the Duke of Rutland (1883–1946) (sister of Lady Diane Duff Cooper, née Manners) 1899

Victorian era 5 works

The Marchioness of Granby, Later Duchess of Rutland (1856–1937), Mother of Marjorie, Violet and Diana Manners (self portrait) (1891), Violet Manners #12 The Marchioness of Granby, Later Duchess of Rutland (1856–1937), Mother of Marjorie, Violet and Diana Manners (self portrait) 1891 Lord Boos of Belvoir, afterwards 9th Duke of Rutland (1886–1980) (1897), Violet Manners #20 Lord Boos of Belvoir, afterwards 9th Duke of Rutland (1886–1980) 1897 Mrs J. Bagot (1864–1940) (1890), Violet Manners #27 Mrs J. Bagot (1864–1940) 1890 Marquess of Salisbury (1830–1903), KG (1889), Violet Manners #28 Marquess of Salisbury (1830–1903), KG 1889 · Berlinische Galerie

Portrait 4 works

Sir Algernon West (1832–1921), KCB (1899), Violet Manners #32 Sir Algernon West (1832–1921), KCB 1899 The Marchioness of Granby, Later Duchess of Rutland (1856–1937), Mother of Marjorie, Violet and Diana Manners (self portrait) (1891), Violet Manners #12 The Marchioness of Granby, Later Duchess of Rutland (1856–1937), Mother of Marjorie, Violet and Diana Manners (self portrait) 1891 Lord Boos of Belvoir, afterwards 9th Duke of Rutland (1886–1980) (1897), Violet Manners #20 Lord Boos of Belvoir, afterwards 9th Duke of Rutland (1886–1980) 1897 Marquess of Salisbury (1830–1903), KG (1889), Violet Manners #28 Marquess of Salisbury (1830–1903), KG 1889 · Berlinische Galerie

Where you can see Violet Manners's paintings

The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Violet Manners Paintings from this list
Berlinische Galerie, BerlinBerlinische Galerie Berlin 1 Marquess of Salisbury (1830–1903), KG
Peterborough Museum - Art Gallery, PeterboroughPeterborough Museum - Art Gallery Peterborough 1 Mrs Anne Maxwell Davis (d.1938)

Violet Manners decade by decade: one standout piece each

Works per decade

Pick a decade to see its standout piece.

Your questions about Violet Manners's paintings

Which Violet Manners painting is the most famous?See the answer

Top of the list is Mr Henry Cust (1861–1917) (1892). Right behind it: The Lord Wantage (1832–1901), KCB, VC (1891) and Viscount Peel (1829–1912), DCL, When the Speaker (1891).

How old was Violet Manners when Mr Henry Cust (1861–1917) was made?See the answer

36 years old. Violet Manners was born in 1856, and Mr Henry Cust (1861–1917) dates from 1892.

What are the 10 best-known Violet Manners paintings?See the answer

Mr Henry Cust (1861–1917), The Lord Wantage (1832–1901), KCB, VC, Viscount Peel (1829–1912), DCL, When the Speaker, Lord Charles Beresford (1846–1919), CB, Lord Rowton (1838–1903), KCVO, CB, Mr Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936), The Hon. Neil Primrose (1882–1917), John, 7th Duke of Rutland (1818–1906), Miss Madeline Bourke, now Mrs Howard Whitbread (1878–1961) and The Earl of Oxford and Asquith, Husband of 'Margot' (1852–1928). You'll find the year and the museum of each in the list above.

How many paintings did Violet Manners create?See the answer

We have 40 works by Violet Manners in our catalogue, dated 1881 to 1937.

Where can you see Violet Manners's famous paintings?See the answer

You'll find most of them in Berlinische Galerie (Berlin) and Peterborough Museum - Art Gallery (Peterborough). The museum list above has the full breakdown.

When did Violet Manners paint the best-known pieces?See the answer

In 1890s, more than any other time: 28 of the 40 pieces on this page date from then, Mr Henry Cust (1861–1917) among them.

Which famous Violet Manners paintings came first and last?See the answer

The earliest piece here is Sir Rennell Rodd, afterwards Lord Rennell of Rodd (1858–1941), CB, KCMG (1881); the most recent is Mrs Anne Maxwell Davis (d.1938) (1937).

What subjects show up most in Violet Manners's paintings?See the answer

Women (16), Royalty (5) and Victorian era (5), out of the 40 pieces on this page.

What art movement was Violet Manners part of?See the answer

Contemporary realism, as you can see in the pieces on this page.

Can I get a reproduction of a Violet Manners painting?See the answer

Yes. Every painting on this page is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print, in the size that suits you. Just open the painting's page to order.

Getting to know Violet Manners

Marion Margaret Violet Manners, Duchess of Rutland

Early Life and Family

  • Birth & Background: Marion Margaret Violet Lindsay was born on March 7, 1856, into an aristocratic family. She was the youngest of three children and the only daughter of Hon. Charles Hugh Lindsay and Emilia Anne Browne.
  • Family Connections: Her father descended from the Earls of Crawford, while her mother was the daughter of Dean Montague Browne of Lismore.

Marriage and Social Life

  • Marriage to Henry Manners: In 1882, at age 26, Violet married Henry Manners, the heir to the Duke of Rutland. Their marriage was noted for its contrasting personalities – he a conservative politician, she described as “bohemian.”
  • Social Circle & The Souls: She became a prominent member of The Souls, an aristocratic group valuing intellectualism and avant-garde art. This circle significantly influenced her life and artistic pursuits.
  • Family Life & Speculation: They had five children, but questions arose regarding the paternity of two daughters – Lady Violet (possibly by Montagu Corry) and Lady Diana (possibly by Harry Cust).

Artistic Development & Style

  • Self-Taught Artist: Violet Manners received no formal artistic training but pursued painting as a passion. A visit to Italy provided some exposure and inspiration.
  • Early Exhibitions: She began exhibiting her drawings and sculptures in 1877 at the Grosvenor Gallery, founded by her cousin Coutts Lindsay.
  • Portraiture Focus: Her work primarily focused on portraits of members of her social circle. While considered a dilettante by some, she successfully captured the elegance and beauty of her subjects.
  • Sculpting After Loss: Following the death of her son Robert in 1894, Violet turned to sculpting as an emotional outlet.

Major Achievements & Exhibitions

  • Exhibition Venues: Her artwork was displayed at prestigious galleries including the Royal Academy of Arts, the New Gallery, and even internationally in the US and France.
  • World’s Columbian Exposition (1893): She exhibited her work at the Palace of Fine Arts during this significant event in Chicago.
  • Publication: In 1900, she published Portraits of Men and Women, a collection showcasing her portraiture skills.
  • Tate Gallery Acquisition (1937): The Tate Gallery acquired one of her sculptures – a family memorial – shortly before her death.

Historical Significance & Legacy

  • Capturing an Era: Violet Manners’ portraits provide valuable insights into the lives and aesthetics of British aristocracy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • Influence on Commissions: She assisted Scottish sculptor William Reid Dick in securing commissions from aristocratic patrons.
  • Posthumous Recognition: The acquisition of her portrait by the Watts Gallery Trust in 2016, along with a donation of her drawings by her grandson John Julius Norwich, has renewed interest in her artistic contributions.
  • World War I Service: During WWI, she converted her London home into a hospital, demonstrating her commitment to public service.

Death and Burial

  • Passing: Violet Manners died on December 22, 1937, at Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire.

All 40 works by Violet Manners →