Evelyn De Morgan
Encyclopedia
Evelyn De Morgan was an English Pre-Raphaelite painter
.
She was born Evelyn Pickering. Her parents were of upper middle class. Her father was Percival Pickering QC, the Recorder of Pontefract
. Her mother was Anna Maria Wilhelmina Spencer Stanhope
, the sister of the artist John Roddam Spencer Stanhope
and a descendant of Coke
of Norfolk who was an Earl of Leicester.
Evelyn was educated at home and started drawing lessons when she was 15. On the morning of her seventeenth birthday, Evelyn recorded in her diary, "Art is eternal, but life is short..." "I will make up for it now, I have not a moment to lose." She went on to persuade her parents to let her go to art school. At first they discouraged it, but in 1873 she was enrolled at the Slade School of Art. Her uncle, John Roddam Spencer Stanhope, was a great influence to her works. Evelyn often visited him in Florence
where he lived. This also enabled her to study the great artists of the Renaissance; she was particularly fond of the works of Botticelli
. This influenced her to move away from the classical subjects favoured by the Slade school and to make her own style.
In 1887, she married the ceramicist William De Morgan
. They lived together in London until he died in 1917. She died two years later on 2 May 1919 in London and was buried in Brookwood Cemetery
, near Woking, Surrey.
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...
.
She was born Evelyn Pickering. Her parents were of upper middle class. Her father was Percival Pickering QC, the Recorder of Pontefract
Pontefract
Pontefract is an historic market town in West Yorkshire, England. Traditionally in the West Riding, near the A1 , the M62 motorway and Castleford. It is one of the five towns in the metropolitan borough of the City of Wakefield and has a population of 28,250...
. Her mother was Anna Maria Wilhelmina Spencer Stanhope
Spencer-Stanhope family
Spencer-Stanhope is the family name of British landed gentry who for 200 years held Cannon Hall, a country house in South Yorkshire that since the 1950s has been a museum...
, the sister of the artist John Roddam Spencer Stanhope
John Roddam Spencer Stanhope
John Roddam Spencer-Stanhope is an English artist associated with Edward Burne-Jones and George Frederic Watts and often regarded as a second-wave pre-Raphaelite. His work is also studied within the context of Aestheticism and British Symbolism. As a painter, Stanhope worked in oil, watercolor,...
and a descendant of Coke
Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester (seventh creation)
Thomas William Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester , known as Coke of Norfolk, was a British politician and agricultural reformer. Born to Wenman Coke, Member of Parliament for Derby and his wife Elizabeth, Coke was educated at several schools, including Eton College, before undertaking a Grand Tour of...
of Norfolk who was an Earl of Leicester.
Evelyn was educated at home and started drawing lessons when she was 15. On the morning of her seventeenth birthday, Evelyn recorded in her diary, "Art is eternal, but life is short..." "I will make up for it now, I have not a moment to lose." She went on to persuade her parents to let her go to art school. At first they discouraged it, but in 1873 she was enrolled at the Slade School of Art. Her uncle, John Roddam Spencer Stanhope, was a great influence to her works. Evelyn often visited him in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
where he lived. This also enabled her to study the great artists of the Renaissance; she was particularly fond of the works of Botticelli
Sandro Botticelli
Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi, better known as Sandro Botticelli was an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance...
. This influenced her to move away from the classical subjects favoured by the Slade school and to make her own style.
In 1887, she married the ceramicist William De Morgan
William De Morgan
William Frend De Morgan was an English potter and tile designer. A lifelong friend of William Morris, he designed tiles, stained glass and furniture for Morris & Co. from 1863 to 1872. His tiles are often based on medieval designs or Persian patterns, and he experimented with innovative glazes and...
. They lived together in London until he died in 1917. She died two years later on 2 May 1919 in London and was buried in Brookwood Cemetery
Brookwood Cemetery
Brookwood Cemetery is a burial ground in Brookwood, Surrey, England. It is the largest cemetery in the United Kingdom and one of the largest in western Europe.-History:...
, near Woking, Surrey.
Works
- Tobias and the AngelTobias and the AngelTobias and the Angel is the title given to paintings and other artworks depicting a scene in which Tobias, son of Tobit, meets an angel without realising he is an angel and is then instructed by the angel what to do with a giant fish he catches , including:-Paintings:*"Tobias and the Angel", print...
(1875) - Cadmus and Harmonia (1877), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Ariadne at Naxos (1877), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Aurora TriumphansAurora TriumphansAurora Triumphans is a painting by Evelyn de Morgan, featuring the Roman goddess of dawn Aurora, that breaks the shackles of night. Aurora lies naked in the lower right corner, covered with carefully draped ropes of pink roses. Taking up two-thirds of the painting, there are three red-winged...
(1877-1878), Russell-Cotes Museum, Bournemouth. - Night and Sleep (1878)
- Goddess of Blossoms & Flowers (1880)
- The Grey Sisters (1880–81), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Phosphorus and Hesperus (1882), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - By the Waters of Babylon (1882–83), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Sleep and Death, the Children of the Night (1883), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Salutation or The Visitation (1883),
- Love's Passing (1883–1884), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Dryad (1884–85), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Luna (1885), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - The Sea Maidens (1885–86), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London.
- Hope in a Prison of Despair (1887)
- The Soul's Prison House (1888), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Love, the Misleader (1889), private collection.
- Medea (1889), Williamson Art GalleryWilliamson Art GalleryThe Williamson Art Gallery and Museum is situated in Birkenhead, Merseyside, England and houses the town's collection of art.Opened on 1 December 1928, the single storey building is Neo Georgian in style. Financial support for its establishment was provided by John Williamson, a Director of the...
, Birkenhead. - Angel of Death (1890), private collection.
- The Garden of Opportunity (1892), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Life and Thought Emerging from the Tomb (1893), Walker Art GalleryWalker Art GalleryThe 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. - Flora (1894), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Eos (1895), Columbia Museum of ArtColumbia Museum of ArtThe Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia, South Carolina has a collection of European and American fine and decorative art that spans several centuries...
, Columbia, South Carolina. - The Undiscovered Country, Columbia Museum of ArtColumbia Museum of ArtThe Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia, South Carolina has a collection of European and American fine and decorative art that spans several centuries...
, Columbia, South Carolina - Lux in Tenebris (1895), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Boreas and Oreithyia (1896), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Earthbound (1897), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Angel of Death (1897), private collection.
- Helen of TroyHelen of Troy (painting)Helen of Troy is an 1898 painting by Evelyn de Morgan depicting Helen of Troy; it was commissioned by William Imrie of Liverpool.Compositionally, the painting is similar to De Morgan's Flora and Cassandra: Helena is standing upright and tall, in a peaceful posture that reminds to Boticcelli's...
(1898) - Cassandra (1898), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - The Valley of Shadows (1899), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - The Storm Spirits (1900), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - The Poor Man who Saved the City (1901), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - The Love PotionThe Love PotionThe Love Potion is a 1903 painting by Evelyn de Morgan depicting a witch with a black cat familiar at her feet.According to Elise Lawton Smith, the painting "exhibits a Pre-Raphaelite fascination with medieval subjects and decorative detailing."...
(1903) - The Cadence of Autumn (1905), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Queen Eleanor & Fair Rosamund (1905), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Death of a Butterfly (c.1905-10), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Demeter Mourning for Persephone (1906), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Port after Stormy Seas (1905), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - The Hour-Glass (1905), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - The Prisoner (1907), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Our Lady of Peace (1907), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - The Worship of Mammon (1909), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Death of the Dragon (1914), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - The Vision (1914), private collection.
- The Red Cross (1918), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - The Gilded CageThe Gilded CageThe Gilded Cage is an oil painting by Evelyn De Morgan, her final work before her death in 1919. It is essentially an allegory for female captivity....
(1919), De Morgan CentreDe Morgan CentreThe De Morgan Centre for the Study of 19th Century Art and Society is a museum and gallery in the London Borough of Wandsworth, England, that houses a large collection of the work of the Victorian ceramic artist William De Morgan and his wife, the painter Evelyn De Morgan.The ceramics collection...
, London. - Deianera (unknown)
- The Kingdom of Heaven Suffereth Violence