Ellen Wetherald Ahrens facts for kids
Ellen Wetherald Ahrens (born June 6, 1859 – died October 31, 1935) was an American artist. She was very good at creating pictures for books. She also painted tiny portraits called miniatures and designed beautiful stained glass.
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About Ellen Wetherald Ahrens
Ellen Wetherald Ahrens was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 6, 1859. She grew up to become a talented artist.
Her Art Education and Training
Ellen studied art at some famous schools. She learned from teachers like Emil Otto Grundmann and Benjamin Champney at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She also studied with Thomas Eakins at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Later, she learned from Howard Pyle at the Drexel Institute. These schools and teachers helped her become a skilled artist.
Awards and Recognition
Ellen Ahrens was recognized for her amazing artwork. She won several awards in national art shows. In 1884, she won the Second Toppan prize at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. This was a big honor for her. Later, in 1902, she earned a silver medal at the Carnegie Institute. In 1904, she received a bronze medal at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. These awards showed how talented she was.
Working with Other Artists
For a while, Ellen worked in a studio with a group of artists known as the Red Rose Girls. This group included Violet Oakley, Jessie Willcox Smith, and Elizabeth Shippen Green. They shared a studio in Philadelphia. Working together helped artists learn from each other and create amazing art.
Her Famous Works
Ellen Ahrens is best known for her book illustrations. She created pictures for the 1902 book A Maid of Bar Harbor by Henrietta G. Rowe. She also illustrated the 1906 edition of Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott, who wrote Little Women.
She also painted miniature portraits. Some of her miniature paintings are kept at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. One example is a tiny portrait of Evelyn Nesbit from 1902. The Nasher Museum of Art also has a portrait she painted of Thomas Eakins' sister. Besides painting, Ellen Ahrens was also known for designing beautiful stained glass.
Ellen Wetherald Ahrens passed away on October 31, 1935, in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. Her art continues to be remembered and appreciated today.