Adelaide Ironside facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adelaide Eliza Scott Ironside
|
|
|---|---|
portrait from Australian Town & Country Journal
|
|
| Born | 17 November 1831 Sydney, Australia
|
| Died | 15 April 1867 (aged 35) Rome, Italy
|
| Nationality | Australian |
| Known for | Painting |
Adelaide Eliza Scott Ironside (born 17 November 1831 – died 15 April 1867) was an important Australian artist. She was known for her beautiful paintings. Some of her artworks were given to Australian national collections. One of her most famous paintings, "The Marriage at Cana," is now at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Contents
Adelaide Ironside's Early Life
Adelaide Ironside was born in Sydney, Australia. She was the only child of James and Martha Ironside to survive. Her mother taught her at home. From a young age, Adelaide showed a great talent for writing. She wrote for newspapers and magazines, both stories and poems.
Becoming an Artist
In 1855, Adelaide decided she wanted to study painting. She traveled to Europe with her mother. She is believed to be the first Australian-born woman artist to study art overseas. In London, she met famous people like John Ruskin, a well-known art critic. He was very interested in her work.
Adelaide then moved to Rome, Italy. She worked very hard to become a skilled artist. She lived in Rome for the rest of her life. Even important people, like the Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VII), visited her. He and another important Australian, William Wentworth, each bought one of her paintings for a lot of money.
Adelaide's Art and Reputation
In 1862, Adelaide Ironside's paintings were shown at a big exhibition in London. Art critics gave her work excellent reviews. In Rome, she was known as a very talented painter. After she passed away, another artist said her flower paintings were amazing. They had rich colors, like those used by the famous artist Titian. They also had a pure feeling, like the art of Beato Angelico.
Adelaide Ironside died in Rome on 15 April 1867. She passed away from tuberculosis, a serious illness. Her body was taken back to London and buried there.
Her Art in Australia
Even though Adelaide had a great reputation in Rome, people in her home country of Australia soon forgot about her. For a long time, none of her paintings were in Australia's national art galleries.
Three of her paintings were sent to Australia: The Pilgrim of Art, The Marriage in Cana, and The Presentation of the Magi. They were loaned to the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney. Around 1888, a writer named Francis Adams found them stored in "a sort of shed." There wasn't enough room for them in the main gallery. Adams thought her paintings were wonderful.
Eventually, these paintings found a home at St Paul's College, part of the University of Sydney. In 1992, the college gave The Marriage at Cana of Galilee to the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Now, this important artwork can be seen by many people.
Images for kids
-
portrait from Australian Town & Country Journal
