Elizabeth Campbell Fisher Clay facts for kids

Elizabeth Campbell Fisher Clay (born in 1871, died in 1959) was a talented American artist. She was known for her paintings. Elizabeth studied art in big cities like Boston, New York, and Paris. After she got married, she moved to England. There, she showed her artwork in London, even at the famous Royal Academy of Arts.

Early Life

Elizabeth Campbell Fisher was born on April 2, 1871. Her birthplace was West Dedham, Massachusetts. Her parents were Joseph and Mary Elizabeth Fisher. Elizabeth went to Dedham High School. She had an older sister named Hattie and a brother named Joseph.

Education and Art Studies

Elizabeth went to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She was part of the class of 1892. In the 1890s, she studied art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

She also learned from famous artists like William Merritt Chase and Robert Henri at the New York School of Art. She traveled to the Netherlands and Spain to study art there. Elizabeth also attended the Art Students League of New York.

Later, she shared an art studio in Paris with two other artists from Boston. Robert Henri, her teacher, would visit their studio twice a week to check their artwork.

Her Art Career

Elizabeth Campbell Fisher Clay, Holy Week in Seville, oil on canvas, 1907

In 1908, Elizabeth Clay had her own art show in Boston at Rowland's Gallery. She also showed her work at other places in Boston, like the Copley Society of Art.

After moving to England, she continued to exhibit her art for over 30 years. She showed her paintings in London at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1927 and 1928. Her art was also displayed at the British Society of Women Artists and other art groups.

Today, some of her artwork can be found in the collection of the Telfair Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia.

Family Life

Elizabeth married Howard Clay on April 20, 1909, in Dedham, Massachusetts. Howard was a local leader in Halifax, England. He was a councillor and served on the Halifax Education Committee.

They had two children: Howard Fisher Clay, born in 1910, and Monica Mary, born two years later. Monica also grew up to be an artist. The family lived in Halifax, England, from about 1915.

In 1930, after her husband passed away, Elizabeth Clay helped lay the first stone for the Halifax High School for Girls. A special guest, Princess Mary, officially opened the school. Elizabeth was also active in her community, teaching Sunday school and helping with boys' clubs.

Later Years

Elizabeth Campbell Fisher Clay passed away in Philadelphia in 1959.