Arthur Elsley
Encyclopedia
Arthur John Elsley was an English painter of the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, famous for his idyllic genre scenes of playful children and their pets. He achieved great popularity during his life and much of his work appeared in calendars, magazines and books.
, one of six children of John Elsley, coachman and amateur artist, and Emily Freer. Elsley's father had exhibited at the British Institution
Exhibition in 1845 but later in life contracted tuberculosis
which forced him into early retirement.
When only eleven years old, Arthur was turning out proficient animal studies made during frequent visits to the London Zoo in Regents Park. At age fourteen , he enrolled in the South Kensington School of Art (later the Royal College of Art
). At about this time his eyesight became permanently damaged by a bout of measles
.
Elsley took up the post of probationer at the Royal Academy Schools
in 1876. here he was influenced by Frederick Pickersgill
(Keeper of the Royal Academy), Edward Armitage
(Professor of Painting), John Marshal (Professor of Anatomy), and Henry Bowler (Professor of Perspective).
A large number of his paintings were inspired by sketches made on frequent cycling trips around the countryside. In 1878 he exhibited his first picture, entitled "A Portrait of an Old Pony" at the Royal Academy. He remained with the Academy Schools until 1882 and then began accepting commissions to do portraits of children and dogs, with an emphasis on horses. Many of his portrait commissions came from the Benett-Stanford family of politicians living at Preston Manor
in Brighton
—some works are still exhibited there. His first known published work was a line engraving entitled "April Floods In Eastern Counties" printed in "Young England
" magazine in 1885.
Elsley was friendly with the English painters Solomon Joseph Solomon
and George Grenville Manton, sharing a studio with the latter in 1876. Through Manton Elsley met Frederick Morgan
, a popular painter of children. In 1889 Elsley moved into Morgan’s studio, an arrangement that led to a good working relationship - Morgan having difficulties with painting animals, an area in which Elsley excelled.
Elsley was awarded a silver medal in the Crystal Palace
exhibition of 1891 for his painting "The Bailiff’s Daughter of Islington". In 1892 his painting "I’se Biggest" was published, and later had to be re-engraved to satisfy public demand. The painting was of a young girl comparing her height with that of a large St. Bernard dog. The Illustrated London News printed one of Elsley’s paintings, Grandfather’s Pet as their Christmas choice for 1893.
On 11 November, 1893 Elsley married Emily "Emm" Fusedale, his second cousin who had modeled for him for ten years. They had one child, Marjorie, born in 1903, and who posed for many of his subsequent paintings. After his marriage Elsley set up his own studio, but continued his painting relationship with Frederick Morgan. After the death of Charles Burton Barber
(1845-1894), Elsley became his natural successor as the foremost painter of children and their pets.
Relations between Elsley and Frederick Morgan were permanently soured when Morgan accused Elsley of using his ideas. After this Elsley became bolder in his compositions, often depicting scenes with multiple figures, all from individual sitters visiting his studio. Hardly ever leaving his studio, the outdoors components of his paintings were from sketches he had made earlier and magazine images. It was thought that these indoor painting methods aggravated his already faulty vision.
The First World War severely reduced Elsley's output of paintings - he produced only 4 paintings from 1915 to 1917, one of which, a portrait of his daughter Marjorie, was exhibited at the Royal Academy
. He contributed to the war effort by working on bomb-sights in a munitions factory, straining his already poor eyesight. By the early 1930s he was able only to carry out woodworking and gardening.
Arthur John Elsley died at home in Tunbridge Wells on 19 February 1952.
, Royal Institute of Oil Painters
, French Gallery, Dudley Gallery and Crystal Palace
in London; The Walker Art Gallery
, Liverpool; The Institute of Fine Art
, Glasgow; Manchester City Art Gallery; The Royal Society of Artists
, Birmingham; Nottingham Castle Museum; Victoria Art Gallery
, Bath; The International Exhibition in Cork
Ireland (1902-03).
His prints were used commercially by many firms such as calendars by Thomas D. Murphy Co., Sunlight Soap
, Brook's Sewing Cottons, Peek Freans
biscuits & cakes; and Bibby’s Quarterly (an illustrated journal of country and home life).
Currently Elsley's work can be seen at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
in Bournemouth
, in the collections of "Hartlepool Museums and Heritage Service", at Lady Lever Art Gallery
in Port Sunlight, Liverpool, Royal Liverpool Children’s Hospital in Liverpool and the "Royal Pavilion Art Gallery and Museum", Preston Manor
, 194 Preston Road, Brighton.
Life
Elsley was born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, one of six children of John Elsley, coachman and amateur artist, and Emily Freer. Elsley's father had exhibited at the British Institution
British Institution
The British Institution was a private 19th-century society in London formed to exhibit the works of living and dead artists; it was also known as the Pall Mall Picture Galleries or the British Gallery...
Exhibition in 1845 but later in life contracted tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
which forced him into early retirement.
When only eleven years old, Arthur was turning out proficient animal studies made during frequent visits to the London Zoo in Regents Park. At age fourteen , he enrolled in the South Kensington School of Art (later the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
). At about this time his eyesight became permanently damaged by a bout of measles
Measles
Measles, also known as rubeola or morbilli, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus, specifically a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. Morbilliviruses, like other paramyxoviruses, are enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses...
.
Elsley took up the post of probationer at the Royal Academy Schools
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
in 1876. here he was influenced by Frederick Pickersgill
Frederick Richard Pickersgill
Frederick Richard Pickersgill was an English painter and book illustrator. Born into a family of artists, he was admitted to the Royal Academy Schools in 1840...
(Keeper of the Royal Academy), Edward Armitage
Edward Armitage
Edward Armitage was an English Victorian era painter whose work focussed on historical, classical and biblical subjects.-Family background:...
(Professor of Painting), John Marshal (Professor of Anatomy), and Henry Bowler (Professor of Perspective).
A large number of his paintings were inspired by sketches made on frequent cycling trips around the countryside. In 1878 he exhibited his first picture, entitled "A Portrait of an Old Pony" at the Royal Academy. He remained with the Academy Schools until 1882 and then began accepting commissions to do portraits of children and dogs, with an emphasis on horses. Many of his portrait commissions came from the Benett-Stanford family of politicians living at Preston Manor
Preston Manor, Brighton
Preston Manor is the former manor house of the ancient Sussex village of Preston, now part of the coastal city of Brighton and Hove, England. The present building dates mostly from 1738, when Lord of the manor Thomas Western rebuilt the original 13th-century structure , and 1905 when Charles...
in Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
—some works are still exhibited there. His first known published work was a line engraving entitled "April Floods In Eastern Counties" printed in "Young England
Young England magazine
Young England: A Illustrated Magazine for Boys Throughout the English-Speaking World was a British story paper aimed at a similar audience to the Boy's Own Paper, It was published from 1880 until 1937.- Publishing history :...
" magazine in 1885.
Elsley was friendly with the English painters Solomon Joseph Solomon
Solomon Joseph Solomon
Solomon Joseph Solomon, RA, was a British Pre-Raphaelite painter, of no relation to Simeon Solomon...
and George Grenville Manton, sharing a studio with the latter in 1876. Through Manton Elsley met Frederick Morgan
Frederick Morgan (painter)
Frederick Morgan , was an English painter of portraits, animals, domestic and country scenes. He became famous for his idyllic genre scenes of childhood.Morgan was born in London...
, a popular painter of children. In 1889 Elsley moved into Morgan’s studio, an arrangement that led to a good working relationship - Morgan having difficulties with painting animals, an area in which Elsley excelled.
Elsley was awarded a silver medal in the Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace was a cast-iron and glass building originally erected in Hyde Park, London, England, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851. More than 14,000 exhibitors from around the world gathered in the Palace's of exhibition space to display examples of the latest technology developed in...
exhibition of 1891 for his painting "The Bailiff’s Daughter of Islington". In 1892 his painting "I’se Biggest" was published, and later had to be re-engraved to satisfy public demand. The painting was of a young girl comparing her height with that of a large St. Bernard dog. The Illustrated London News printed one of Elsley’s paintings, Grandfather’s Pet as their Christmas choice for 1893.
On 11 November, 1893 Elsley married Emily "Emm" Fusedale, his second cousin who had modeled for him for ten years. They had one child, Marjorie, born in 1903, and who posed for many of his subsequent paintings. After his marriage Elsley set up his own studio, but continued his painting relationship with Frederick Morgan. After the death of Charles Burton Barber
Charles Burton Barber
Charles Burton Barber , was an English painter who attained great success with his paintings of children and their pets.Barber was born in Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, and studied from the age of 18 at the Royal Academy, London - receiving a silver medal for drawing in 1864, and first exhibiting...
(1845-1894), Elsley became his natural successor as the foremost painter of children and their pets.
Relations between Elsley and Frederick Morgan were permanently soured when Morgan accused Elsley of using his ideas. After this Elsley became bolder in his compositions, often depicting scenes with multiple figures, all from individual sitters visiting his studio. Hardly ever leaving his studio, the outdoors components of his paintings were from sketches he had made earlier and magazine images. It was thought that these indoor painting methods aggravated his already faulty vision.
The First World War severely reduced Elsley's output of paintings - he produced only 4 paintings from 1915 to 1917, one of which, a portrait of his daughter Marjorie, was exhibited at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
. He contributed to the war effort by working on bomb-sights in a munitions factory, straining his already poor eyesight. By the early 1930s he was able only to carry out woodworking and gardening.
Arthur John Elsley died at home in Tunbridge Wells on 19 February 1952.
Work
At the height of his career from 1878 to 1927, Elsley exhibited 52 works at the Royal Academy. However, many more were shown at exhibition halls throughout the country: The Royal Society of British ArtistsRoyal Society of British Artists
The Royal Society of British Artists is a British art body established in 1823 as the Society of British Artists, as an alternative to the Royal Academy.-History:...
, Royal Institute of Oil Painters
Royal Institute of Oil Painters
The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, also known as ROI, is an association of painters in London and is the only major art society which features work done only in oil. It is a member society of the Federation of British Artists.-History:...
, French Gallery, Dudley Gallery and Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace was a cast-iron and glass building originally erected in Hyde Park, London, England, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851. More than 14,000 exhibitors from around the world gathered in the Palace's of exhibition space to display examples of the latest technology developed in...
in London; The Walker Art Gallery
Walker Art Gallery
The Walker Art Gallery is an art gallery in Liverpool, which houses one of the largest art collections in England, outside of London. It is part of the National Museums Liverpool group, and is promoted as "the National Gallery of the North" because it is not a local or regional gallery but is part...
, Liverpool; The Institute of Fine Art
Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts
The Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts is an independent organisation in Glasgow, founded in 1861, which promotes contemporary art and artists in Scotland. It is the third largest organization of its kind in the United Kingdom...
, Glasgow; Manchester City Art Gallery; The Royal Society of Artists
Royal Birmingham Society of Artists
The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists or RBSA is a learned society of artists and an art gallery based in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, England. it is both a registered charity. and a registered company The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists or RBSA is a learned society of artists and an...
, Birmingham; Nottingham Castle Museum; Victoria Art Gallery
Victoria Art Gallery
The Victoria Art Gallery is free public art museum in Bath, Somerset, England.The building was designed in 1897 by John McKean Brydon, and has been designated as a Grade II listed building. The exterior of the building includes a statue of Queen Victoria, by A. C. Lucchesi, and friezes of...
, Bath; The International Exhibition in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
Ireland (1902-03).
His prints were used commercially by many firms such as calendars by Thomas D. Murphy Co., Sunlight Soap
Sunlight (cleaning product)
Sunlight is a brand of household soap originally produced by the British company Lever Brothers in 1884. It was the world's first packaged, branded laundry soap. Designed for washing clothes and general household use, the success of the product led to the name for the company's village for its...
, Brook's Sewing Cottons, Peek Freans
Peek Freans
Peek Frean is a brand of biscuits and related confectionery. The brand is owned in the UK by United Biscuits, although the Peek Frean name is no longer used in the UK. In the US and Canada the brand is owned by Kraft Foods.-History:...
biscuits & cakes; and Bibby’s Quarterly (an illustrated journal of country and home life).
Currently Elsley's work can be seen at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
The Russell-Cotes Museum is an art gallery and museum in Bournemouth, England. It is located on the top of the East Cliff, next to the Royal Bath Hotel.-History and collections:...
in Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
, in the collections of "Hartlepool Museums and Heritage Service", at Lady Lever Art Gallery
Lady Lever Art Gallery
The Lady Lever Art Gallery was founded in 1922 by Sunlight Soap magnate, William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme, and dedicated to the memory of his wife....
in Port Sunlight, Liverpool, Royal Liverpool Children’s Hospital in Liverpool and the "Royal Pavilion Art Gallery and Museum", Preston Manor
Preston Manor, Brighton
Preston Manor is the former manor house of the ancient Sussex village of Preston, now part of the coastal city of Brighton and Hove, England. The present building dates mostly from 1738, when Lord of the manor Thomas Western rebuilt the original 13th-century structure , and 1905 when Charles...
, 194 Preston Road, Brighton.
Further reading
- Parker, Terry. Golden Hours: Paintings of Arthur J Elsley (Richard Dennis Pubs., 2006).
External links
- Paintings by A J Elsley (Art Renewal Center Museum)
- Golden hours (1908 painting)