Elizabeth Forbes (artist)
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Adela Forbes was a Canadian painter
who was primarily active in England. She often featured children in her paintings and Schools Out (painted in Newlyn) is one of her most popular works. She was friends with the artists James Abbott McNeill Whistler and Walter Sickert
, both of whom influenced her work. Her etchings in particular are said to show the influence of Whistler.
, Forbes was the daughter of William Armstrong, an employee of the Government of Canada
. The youngest of a family of boys, she was sent to school in England with her mother as chaperone. Her father died two months later, after which she and her mother lived with an uncle in Chelsea
, London. His home was next door to the residence of William Michael Rossetti
, although it appears she never actually met him. She then studied at the South Kensington Art School
(now the Royal College of Art).
In 1878 Forbes returned with her mother to Canada where she continued her studies at the Toronto Art Students League. She went to study in Munich where, though apparently unhappy, she was influenced by the American artist Frank Currier
. In 1882 she went with her mother to the artists colony
at Pont-Aven
in Brittany
. While there she started to exhibit her works and sent small watercolours to the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours
in London. She moved to that city in 1883 where she remained for two and a half years and became a regular exhibitor at several galleries, including the Royal Academy
.
In the Autumn of 1885, Forbes and her mother moved to Newlyn
, England. She became a popular figure in the artistic community of Newlyn and was much involved in the city's artistic organizations, such as the dramatic society. In 1889 she married Newlyn School
painter Stanhope Forbes
. Their son, Alec, was born in 1893. That same year she won a Gold Medal for an oil painting at the World's Columbian Exposition
in Chicago.
In 1900 Forbes held an exhibition called Children and Child Lore in London. In 1904 she and her husband settled at Higher Faugan, a house which they designed and had built for themselves. An exhibition in 1904 featured original drawings for the book King Arthur's Wood.
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
who was primarily active in England. She often featured children in her paintings and Schools Out (painted in Newlyn) is one of her most popular works. She was friends with the artists James Abbott McNeill Whistler and Walter Sickert
Walter Sickert
Walter Richard Sickert , born in Munich, Germany, was a painter who was a member of the Camden Town Group in London. He was an important influence on distinctively British styles of avant-garde art in the 20th century....
, both of whom influenced her work. Her etchings in particular are said to show the influence of Whistler.
Life and career
Born in OttawaOttawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Forbes was the daughter of William Armstrong, an employee of the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
. The youngest of a family of boys, she was sent to school in England with her mother as chaperone. Her father died two months later, after which she and her mother lived with an uncle in Chelsea
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
, London. His home was next door to the residence of William Michael Rossetti
William Michael Rossetti
William Michael Rossetti was an English writer and critic.-Biography:Born in London, he was a son of immigrant Italian scholar Gabriele Rossetti, and the brother of Maria Francesca Rossetti, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Christina Georgina Rossetti.He was one of the seven founder members of the...
, although it appears she never actually met him. She then studied at the South Kensington Art School
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...
(now the Royal College of Art).
In 1878 Forbes returned with her mother to Canada where she continued her studies at the Toronto Art Students League. She went to study in Munich where, though apparently unhappy, she was influenced by the American artist Frank Currier
Frank Currier
Frank Currier was an American actor and director of the silent era. He appeared in 133 films between 1912 and 1928. He also directed 19 films in 1916...
. In 1882 she went with her mother to the artists colony
Art colony
right|300px|thumb|Artist houses in [[Montsalvat]] near [[Melbourne, Australia]].An art colony or artists' colony is a place where creative practitioners live and interact with one another. Artists are often invited or selected through a formal process, for a residency from a few weeks to over a year...
at Pont-Aven
Pont-Aven
Pont-Aven is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in northwestern France.-Population:Inhabitants of Pont-Aven are called in French Pontavenistes.-History:...
in Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
. While there she started to exhibit her works and sent small watercolours to the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours
Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours
The Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours , initially called the New Society of Painters in Water Colours, , is one of the societies in the Federation of British Artists, based in the Mall Galleries in London.-History:In 1831 the society was founded as the New Society of Painters in Water...
in London. She moved to that city in 1883 where she remained for two and a half years and became a regular exhibitor at several galleries, including 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...
.
In the Autumn of 1885, Forbes and her mother moved to Newlyn
Newlyn
Newlyn is a town and fishing port in southwest Cornwall, England, United Kingdom.Newlyn forms a conurbation with the neighbouring town of Penzance and is part of Penzance civil parish...
, England. She became a popular figure in the artistic community of Newlyn and was much involved in the city's artistic organizations, such as the dramatic society. In 1889 she married Newlyn School
Newlyn School
The Newlyn School is a term used to describe an art colony of artists based in or near to Newlyn, a fishing village adjacent to Penzance, Cornwall, from the 1880s until the early 20th century. The establishment of the Newlyn School was reminiscent of the Barbizon School in France, where artists...
painter Stanhope Forbes
Stanhope Forbes
Stanhope Alexander Forbes R.A., , was an artist and member of the influential Newlyn school of painters...
. Their son, Alec, was born in 1893. That same year she won a Gold Medal for an oil painting at the World's Columbian Exposition
World's Columbian Exposition
The World's Columbian Exposition was a World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Chicago bested New York City; Washington, D.C.; and St...
in Chicago.
In 1900 Forbes held an exhibition called Children and Child Lore in London. In 1904 she and her husband settled at Higher Faugan, a house which they designed and had built for themselves. An exhibition in 1904 featured original drawings for the book King Arthur's Wood.
External links
- Elizabeth Stanhope Forbes
- www.artistarchive.com Sabin catalogue of 41 prints with a description of each.