Elisabeth Vellacott facts for kids

Elisabeth Jessie Vellacott (born January 28, 1905 – died May 21, 2002) was an English artist. She was known for painting people and landscapes that told a story. Later in her life, she often painted on wood instead of canvas. She had her first big art show when she was 63 years old and kept painting until she was over 90!

About Elisabeth Vellacott

Elisabeth Vellacott was born in Grays, England in 1905. Her father was an accountant who later became a priest. Because of his job, Elisabeth and her four brothers grew up mostly in Cambridge.

She went to the Royal College of Art in London to study art. Her teacher there was Walter Thomas Monnington. After her studies, she went back to Cambridge. She worked making textiles and designing sets for plays.

She even helped her friend Gwen Raverat create sets and costumes. They worked together for the University of Cambridge musical society. In 1984, Elisabeth Vellacott was featured on The South Bank Show. This was a TV show about art. Her brother, Philip Vellacott, was a famous writer and translator.

Her Paintings

Elisabeth Vellacott's first solo art show was in 1968. It was held at The Minories in Colchester. After that, she had more shows in London and a special exhibition at Warwick Arts Trust.

She was inspired by many different art styles. These included Russian icon painting, Indian textiles, and Persian miniatures. She also liked Chinese and Japanese ceramics. Her later paintings were often done on wooden panels. They had a thin white layer and soft, light colors.

You can find Elisabeth Vellacott's artwork in these places:

• Arts Council Collection
• Kettle's Yard
• The Fitzwilliam Museum
• University of Liverpool
• Derby Museum and Art Gallery
• Glasgow Museums
• National Museums Liverpool