Emma Smith (artist) facts for kids
Emma Smith, who later became Emma Pauncefote, was a talented British artist. She lived from 1783 to 1853. Emma was known for her beautiful paintings and prints.
Life as an Artist
Emma Smith was born in London in 1783. Her father was John Raphael Smith, who was also a well-known artist. Her mother was Emma Johnston. Emma learned to paint and draw from a young age.
Artistic Skills
Emma was skilled in many art forms. She created soft, dreamy pictures called pastels. She also painted tiny, detailed pictures known as miniature paintings. These were often portraits of people. Emma worked with different types of paint, including oil paints and watercolors.
She painted many different subjects. These included portraits of people, scenes from old stories (mythology), religious pictures, and even pictures of plays. One famous portrait she painted was of a politician named William John Chute, who was wearing a pink coat. A politician is someone who works in government and helps make decisions for a country.
Printmaking and Exhibitions
Emma Smith was also an engraver. This means she made prints by carving designs into a surface, like metal, and then using ink to transfer the image onto paper. She made prints based on the artworks of other artists, such as Maria Cosway.
From 1799 to 1808, Emma showed her artwork at the Royal Academy in London. The Royal Academy is a very important art institution in Britain. Showing her work there meant she was a recognized and respected artist.
Beyond Art
Emma was not just an artist; she was also very musical. She played both the piano and the harp. She could also speak French very well.
Later in her life, Emma married Robert Pauncefote. After her marriage, she stopped creating art. It is said that she did not like their home, Preston Court, very much, so she often traveled. Emma and Robert had a son named Julian Pauncefote. He later became a very important person, serving as the ambassador for the United Kingdom to the United States. An ambassador is a country's official representative in another country.
Emma Smith died in Stourfield in 1853.
