English self-taught painter Edward Ladell (1821-1886)

 

Artist Edward Ladell's Paintings

Colchester is where Artist Edward Ladell was born. After working in Colchester for many years, he relocated to the West of the country, finally settling in Exeter. Despite being a self-taught painter, he established his own style of still life, undoubtedly influenced by the Dutch heritage. Because I nearly always utilised a wine glass, fruits, flowers, and occasionally a bird's nest, caskets, or a carved burdock, things on a marble ledge wrapped with an oriental rug, it is always clearly recognised. Edward Ladell's work was later appreciated. 

Sophie Geangambre Anderson: A Self-Taught Visionary of Victorian Elegance

Sophie Geangambre Anderson's Paintings

Sophie Geangambre Anderson, born in Paris in 1823, transcended her roots to become an English artist of French origin, leaving an indelible mark on the Victorian art scene. Specializing in portraits of women and children set against idyllic rural backdrops, Sophie's work is imbued with the influence of Pre-Raphaelitism, a movement that sought to defy Victorian conventions and celebrate meticulous attention to detail.

Early Life and Artistic Genesis

Born into the family of Parisian architect Charles Jeanjambre, Sophie's artistic journey began with a solid home education. In the wake of the French Revolution, the Jeanjambre family sought refuge in the United States, where Sophie's artistic destiny intertwined with that of English artist Walter Anderson, whom she later married.

American Sojourn and the Marriage to Walter Anderson

In the USA, Sophie embarked on her artistic career, focusing on portraits and contributing to color lithographs for Louis Prang & Co. Despite societal restrictions on married women working during the Victorian era, being wed to an artist, Walter Anderson, provided Sophie with the opportunity to continue her artistic pursuits.

London Calling and Recognition

The Andersons made a significant move to London in 1854, where Sophie's artistic prowess came to the forefront. Exhibiting at renowned institutions such as the Royal Academy of Arts and the Society of British Artists, Sophie gained widespread recognition. Her intricate depictions of women and children resonated with the Victorian audience, earning her acclaim for her attention to detail, botanical accuracy, and mastery of the Pre-Raphaelite style.

A Self-Taught Artisan

Sophie's artistic journey took a distinctive path as she eschewed formal classical education. Although she briefly took lessons from Charles Steuben in her youth, her identity as a self-taught artist became a defining feature. This unique approach did not hinder the recognition of her talent; on the contrary, it added an element of individuality to her oeuvre.

Influences of Pre-Raphaelitism

The influence of the Pre-Raphaelites, particularly artists like Pietro Perugino, Fra Beato Angelico, and Giovanni Bellini, is evident in Sophie Anderson's works. The movement's dedication to accurate representation and a celebration of feminine beauty is mirrored in her meticulously crafted paintings.

Return to the USA and Legacy

Returning to the USA in 1859 and later residing on the island of Capri due to health reasons, Sophie continued to send her works to London for exhibitions. Despite her declining health, she exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts almost until the end of her days. Sophie Jeanjambre Anderson passed away in 1903, merely a month after the death of her husband.

Sophie's legacy endures through her timeless paintings, with "No Walk Today" standing out as one of her most iconic works. Though many of her paintings reside in private collections, prints of her acclaimed pieces like "The Time Of The Lilacs," "Young Girl Fixing Her Hair," and "The Turtle Dove Small" continue to captivate art enthusiasts worldwide.

Sophie Jeanjambre Anderson's art, a fusion of individuality, Victorian elegance, and Pre-Raphaelite influences, remains a testament to her innate talent and the enduring allure of her unique perspective on the world.

No Walk Today

John William Godward (1861-1922) | English Victorian Neoclassical Painter | ArtLiveAndBeauty

Artist John William Godward's Paintings

John William Godward was born on August 9, 1861, in Wimbledon, a London suburb, the eldest of five children to an affluent religious family. The Godwards' family heritage was insurance, and this was the career that was expected for the eldest son. His soul, however, was in art, and his family did not value his education. Godward relocated to another London area, Chelsea, where he rented a property, as a result of the family feud. The artist was enamoured with Italy since his childhood, and he created pictures of attractive Italians he encountered in England. In 1905, the occasion motivated him to travel to the nation of his aspirations. The artist's residence was located close to the Stamford Bridge stadium, which had been largely abandoned for many years before becoming the home arena of the Chelsea football club, which was created the same year. The incessant noise from the stadium, which was now interfering with the artist's tranquil work, led him to depart for Italy for a time.
At the time, the artist's ancient Roman subjects were timely. The thriving British Empire was on par with the old Roman Empire. Godward's paintings were purchased, and his name became well-known.

John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836 -1893) | Victorian Artist | ArtLiveAndBeauty

Paintings of Artist John Atkinson Grimshaw

Self-taught artist, Grimshaw was captivated by the works of Pre-Raphaelite artists and, imitating them, began to carefully write out every detail in his paintings, carefully choosing color and lighting.

Originally in the 1860s, his most popular works are city streets bathed in the pale moonlight. Atkinson Grimshaw painted not only landscapes, but also portraits, interiors, fabulous paintings and neoclassical subjects. Grimshaw painted only still lifes, mostly vases of flowers, but later moved on to landscapes. He was especially attracted by sea distances, docks, ships in the roads. This was facilitated by the fact that in 1870 he and his wife settled in the city of Scarborough on the coast of England.

Throughout his life, the artist exhibited only five of his works at the Royal Academy of Painting, and one work at the Grosvenor Gallery. Most of his works were sold to the collections of patrons directly from the artist's studio.

Along with painting, Grimshaw was fond of photography and often used a camera obscura to project the contours of the landscape he liked onto an oil canvas, which made it possible to copy his own paintings several times.

" The Women of Amphisa " (1887) Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912)

" The Women of Amphisa " (1887) By Artist Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912)

Lawrence Alma-Tadema is a British artist of Dutch origin who painted mainly on historicalstories. One of the most famous and highly paid artists of the Victorian era .

" Amphisa " is a city in Greece that was founded in the 7th century BC and still exists today.

" The Women of Amphisa " (1887) By Artist Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912)

" Chivalry " , By Artist Frank Bernard Dixie (1853-1928) | ArtLiveAndBeauty

 

" Chivalry " , By Artist Frank Bernard Dixie, 1885 

Francis Bernard Dixie (1853-1928), a British Victorian painter, is most known for his paintings of dramatic literary, historical, and mythical subjects. He explores the topic of "Lady in Sorrow" in the painting "Knighthood," which is popular in Western art. Painters typically represented a defenseless and lovely female who is bound and tortured by a wicked villain or monster. A hero comes at the last time to save her.

This topic was notably popular among the Pre-Raphaelites during the Victorian era, who thought it was vital to restore to the realistic paintings and romantic themes of medieval art. The legends concerning Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table hold the palm in terms of frequency of use. The picture by Frank Bernard Dixie shows Sir Galahad, who protected numerous females during his search for the Holy Grail. We see a worried beauty in the front, while in the centre, the honourable knight Galahad returns his sword to its sheath after killing the wicked knight.

 " Chivalry " , By Artist Frank Bernard Dixie, 1885 Oil on canvas. Size: 182.7 x 136.6 cm Private collection

" Catapult " , By Artist Edward John Poynter ( 1836 - 1919 ) | ArtLiveAndBeauty

" Catapult " , By Artist Edward John Poynter 

Edward John Poynter (1836-1919), British artist, member of the Arundel Society. Eno's works were distinguished by originality in composition, accuracy of drawing, brilliance of colors and delicacy of writing. He enjoyed resounding fame as an excellent historical and genre painter.

The Catapult depicts Roman soldiers driving a siege engine during an attack on the walls of Carthage in 146 BC during the Third Punic War. They are about to fire a red-hot bolt from under the structure's wooden canopy.

An inscription is visible on the catapult, which reads: "Delenda est Carthago (Carthage must be destroyed)". These were the famous words of Cato the Elder, Roman senator and historian.

 "Catapult", Edward John Poynter 1868-1872 Canvas, oil. Size: 155x184 cm. Lang Art Gallery, Newcastle