Dame Louise Henderson (1902–1994) studied with the French cubist artist Jean Metzinger (1883–1956). This photograph is one of a series of New Zealand artists which Adrienne Martyn was commissioned to take by the National Art Gallery of New Zealand. Martyn’s work is noted for her interest in surfaces and textures, and for the subtle way she brings out the personality of her subjects. She has photographed Louise Henderson in her domestic environment, without any visual references to her art.