Women artists in all ages and countriesEllet, E. F. (Elizabeth Fries)
History
Women artists in all ages and countries
Ellet, E. F. (Elizabeth Fries)
Women artists
Mrs. George Woodman, the eldest daughter of Mr. Durand, has painted
some excellent landscapes; also Mrs. Ruggles. Miss Gove’s crayon heads
have been much noticed and admired. Miss Caroline May’s landscapes have
proved her claim to the double wreath of artist and authoress. Miss
Granbury’s flowers have attracted attention in the Academy exhibitions.
Some pretty interior scenes were in the exhibition of 1859, painted by
Miss Juliana Oakley. It is necessary to omit many names of artists who
have not yet had experience enough to constrain public acknowledgment
of the genius they possess.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
MRS. LILY SPENCER.--Early Display of Talent.--Removal to New
York.--To Ohio.--Out-door Life.--Chase of a Deer.--Encounter
with the Hog.--Lifting a Log.--Sketch on her bedroom
Walls.--Encouragement.--Curiosity to see her Pictures.--Her
Studies.--Removal to Cincinnati.--Jealousy of Artists.--Lord
Morpeth.--Lily’s Marriage.--Return to New York.--Studies.--Her
Paintings.--Kitchen Scenes.--Success and Fame.--Her Home and
Studio.--Louisa Lander.--Inheritance of Talent.--Passion for
Art.--Development of Taste for Sculpture.--Abode in Rome.--Crawford’s
Pupil.--Her Productions.--“Virginia Dare.”--Other Sculptures.--Late
Works.--Mary Weston.--Childish Love of Beauty and Art.--Devices
to supply the Want of Facilities.--Studies.--Departure from
Home.--Is taken back.--Perseverance amid Difficulties.--Journey
to New York.--Sees an Artist work.--Finds Friends.--Visit to
Hartford.--Return to New York for Lessons.--Marriage.--Her
Paintings.--Miss Freeman.--Variously gifted.--Miss Dupré.--The Misses
Withers.--Mrs. Cheves.--Mrs. Hanna.
LILY M. SPENCER.
Mrs. Spencer’s high position among American artists is universally
recognized in the profession. In her peculiar style, her executive
talent is probably unsurpassed in the country. She has encountered many
difficulties in her path to success, and a glance at her history will
not be without encouragement to those who possess a portion of her
energy and perseverance.
Her parents, whose name is Martin, were born in France, but removed
to England soon after their marriage. They were persons of education,
refinement, and good social standing. Mr. Martin taught French in
academies in Plymouth and Exeter, and gave lectures at his own house on
scientific subjects, especially optics and chemistry. Mrs. Martin at
one time gave instruction in a ladies’ seminary in London. Lily owed
all her proficiency to her parents’ judicious training, and never went
to a school. Her talent for drawing began early to exhibit itself.
One day, when she was about five years old, she got at some diagrams
her father had prepared for a lecture on optics, and drew an eye so
correctly that her turn for art was at once perceived.
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