Edward Louis Lawrenson facts for kids

Edward Louis Lawrenson (born March 14, 1868 – died December 23, 1940) was an Irish artist. He was known for painting beautiful landscapes and for making art using a special technique called etching.

Life and Family

Edward Louis Lawrenson was born in Dublin, Ireland, on March 14, 1868. His parents were Edward and Alice Lawrenson.

He studied art for six months at the Dublin School of Art. He also attended Trinity College Dublin. Following a family tradition, he joined the army. He served with the Connacht Rangers for seven years. Even in the army, he continued to sketch and paint.

In 1897, he became a "working member" of the Dublin Sketching Club. He first showed his art with the Watercolour Society of Ireland in 1898. He continued to exhibit with them until 1930.

After leaving the army in 1900, Lawrenson traveled to Paris to study art. He first learned from Filippo Colarossi. Then, he studied under Alphonse Mucha, a famous artist. Lawrenson then went to Holland to learn from another artist, George Hitchcock.

He married Charlotte Mary Rose Lawrenson. She was also a painter, known for portraits and murals. They lived in Nurney, Hadlow Down, in Surrey, England. Edward Lawrenson passed away on December 23, 1940, at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Art Career

This stamp, designed by Lawrenson, shows the Shannon Scheme in 1930.

After his time studying in Holland, Lawrenson moved to London. By 1910, he had his own art studio in Holland Park Road, London. He became good friends with the English painter, Harold Speed. They often went on painting trips together in Lawrenson's car. Lawrenson also continued to travel to other countries in Europe and to rural parts of England to find inspiration for his art.

In 1906, Lawrenson won a gold medal. He received it at the Milan International Exhibition for his color printing from copper plates. He learned the art of etching from lectures given by Frank Short. In 1911, Lawrenson gave his own lecture in Dublin. He showed how to do color etching and aquatint, which are special ways to make prints.

He displayed his artwork in many places. These included the Alpine Gallery, the Fine Art Society, and the Royal Academy. He also exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy and the Royal Scottish Academy. He was a member of the Art Workers' Guild.

Lawrenson was part of a special group of artists. In the 1920s, they designed the first banknotes and coins for the Irish Free State. Other artists in this group included John Lavery and Dermod O'Brien. Lawrenson's coin designs often featured beautiful views of the Irish landscape.

His art was even part of the art competition at the 1928 Summer Olympics. In 1930, he designed a postage stamp. This stamp celebrated the completion of the Shannon Scheme, a big power project in Ireland.

You can find Lawrenson's artworks in several museums. These include the British Museum, the Towner Gallery, and the Brighton and Hove Museum and Art Gallery. His art is also held at the Manchester Art Gallery. In 2019, some of his aquatint etchings were shown. This was part of an exhibition at the National Gallery of Ireland called Making their Mark: Irish Painter-Etchers 1880-1930.