Elizabeth McGillivray Knowles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth McGillivray Knowles
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| Born |
Elizabeth Annie Beach
January 8, 1866 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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| Died | October 4, 1928 (aged 62) Lancaster, New Hampshire, US
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| Known for | Painter |
| Spouse(s) |
Farquhar McGillivray Knowles
(m. 1895) |
Elizabeth Annie McGillivray Knowles (born January 8, 1866 – died October 4, 1928) was a talented Canadian artist. She was especially known for her paintings of animals, like chickens, and beautiful outdoor scenes. She also created tiny, detailed artworks called miniatures.
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Elizabeth Knowles: A Canadian Artist
Elizabeth Annie Beach was born in Ottawa, Canada, on January 8, 1866. Her uncle, Frederic Marlett Bell-Smith, was also a well-known Canadian painter. This might have inspired her love for art!
Learning and Marriage
Elizabeth studied art with a teacher named Farquhar McGillivray Knowles. In 1895, after his first wife passed away, Elizabeth and Farquhar got married. Farquhar was born in Syracuse, New York, but his family moved to Canada when he was a baby.
After they married, Elizabeth and Farquhar went on a long trip to Europe to study art. When they came back to Canada, they opened an art studio in Toronto. Their studio became a popular spot where many artists would meet and share ideas.
Becoming a Recognized Artist
Elizabeth's artistic talent was quickly noticed. In 1908, she was chosen to be an Associate of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. This is a very important group for artists in Canada. She was also a member of the Ontario Society of Artists. Elizabeth even became a leader in the Heliconian Club in Toronto, which was a club for women in arts and letters.
Art Across Borders: Canada and the US
In 1915, Elizabeth and her husband moved to New York City in the United States. They even lived on their yacht in New York Harbor for a year in 1916! Later, they moved into an apartment in Washington Heights, Manhattan.
Exhibiting Her Work
Even after moving to the US, Elizabeth continued to show her paintings in Canada. She often displayed her art at the Royal Canadian Academy shows and at the Spring Exhibitions of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Her work was also shown in many art galleries across the United States. Sometimes, she would have exhibitions with her husband at the Johnson Art Galleries in Montreal.
Joining Art Societies
Elizabeth became a member of several art groups in the United States. These included the Pennsylvania Society of Miniature Painters and the Brooklyn Society of Miniature Painters. She also joined the Washington Watercolor Club, the American Watercolor Society, and the League of American Pen Women. These memberships showed how respected she was as an artist.
Elizabeth Beach McGillivray Knowles passed away on October 4, 1928, in Lancaster, New Hampshire.
Elizabeth Knowles' Artistic Style
During her lifetime, Elizabeth McGillivray Knowles was highly praised for her miniature paintings and scenes of gardens. She loved to paint rural areas, showing the beauty of the countryside. She was especially famous for her detailed paintings of chickens and other farm animals.
Where to See Her Art
You can find Elizabeth Knowles' artwork in important art collections. The National Gallery of Canada owns her painting called Nocturne. The Art Gallery of Ontario has some of her miniatures and an oil painting. The Agnes Etherington Art Centre at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, also has some of her beautiful pieces.
