Elizabeth Liddell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elizabeth Liddell
Self-Portrait, in blue striped dress with black lace shawl, pastel (James Clerk Maxwell Foundation)
Born	1770
Died	1831
Nationality	British
Occupation	artist
Spouse(s)	Robert Hodshon Cay

Elizabeth Liddell (born February 22, 1770 – died 1831) was a British artist. She was known for her beautiful pastel portraits. Elizabeth later became Mrs. Robert Hodshon Cay after she married. She was the wife of Robert Hodshon Cay, a Scottish judge. She was also the mother of John Cay. Her daughter, Frances Cay, married John Clerk-Maxwell of Middlebie. This made Elizabeth the grandmother of the famous scientist James Clerk Maxwell.

Life of Elizabeth Liddell

Elizabeth Liddell was born in 1770. Her parents were John Liddell and Jane Hubback. Her father was likely a ship-owner. This connection might be how she met her future husband. In 1789, she married Robert Hodshon Cay. He was a well-known judge in Scotland.

Learning to Paint

Elizabeth studied art with a British artist named Archibald Skirving. He taught her how to create portraits using pastels. She also met Sir Henry Raeburn, another famous painter. Raeburn painted portraits of Elizabeth's husband and her mother. Another artist, William Bewick, painted Elizabeth's sister, Barbara. In 1797, Elizabeth had an adult baptism. This happened at the Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh. It showed she became part of the Baptist Church.

Later Years and Death

Elizabeth's husband, Robert, passed away in 1810. She continued to live in their family home at 11 Heriot Row. Her son, John Cay, lived with her until 1822. He then moved to a nearby house. Elizabeth Liddell died in Edinburgh on October 27, 1831. She was buried at Restalrig Churchyard.

Artworks and Materials

Elizabeth Liddell created many portraits. Most of her known works are kept at the James Clerk Maxwell Museum. This museum is located in Edinburgh.

Known Portraits

Some of the portraits she painted include:

• Her own self-portrait.
• A portrait of her son, John Cay.
• A portrait of her daughter, Jane Cay.
• A portrait of Frances Cay, who was the mother of James Clerk Maxwell.
• A portrait of her son, Robert Dundas Cay.

She also painted other subjects. One of these was a "Portrait of the blacksmith." She left this painting to her daughter Jane in her will.

Artist's Tools

Elizabeth's special box of art materials is now at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This box shows how she used her pastels. She applied the pastel colors with a cloth or a brush. She did not use them directly as sticks.

Elizabeth's Family

Elizabeth Liddell married Robert Hodshon Cay in 1789. They lived in Edinburgh. Together, they had nine children.

Her Children

Some of their children included:

• John Cay
• Frances Hodshon Cay, who married John Clerk-Maxwell of Middlebie. She was the mother of the famous scientist James Clerk Maxwell.
• Robert Dundas Cay, who later became a lawyer for James Clerk Maxwell.