Ethel Larcombe (artist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ethel Larcombe
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| Born |
Laura Ethel Larcombe
1876 Exeter, England
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| Died | 12 December 1940 (aged 63–64) Exeter, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Known for | Illustration, Typography |
| Movement | Arts and Crafts movement, Art Nouveau |
Ethel Larcombe (born Laura Ethel Larcombe, 1876-1940) was a talented British artist. She lived in the early 1900s and was known for illustrating children's books and creating beautiful designs. Her work often featured in popular magazines and even on postcards!
Contents
Who Was Ethel Larcombe?
Ethel Larcombe was born and grew up in Exeter, England. Her parents, John Samuel Larcombe and Louisa, ran a small school in the town. This early environment might have sparked her interest in learning and art.
Early Artistic Steps
Ethel first caught people's attention in 1899. She created a piece called Summer for a contest held by a famous art magazine called The Studio Magazine. Her unique style of lettering, known as typographic lettering, was so good that it was shown at a big art exhibition in Turin, Italy, in 1902. This was a huge honor for a young artist!
Designing Books and More
Ethel worked as a freelance designer for a company called Blackie & Son, based in Glasgow. She helped design the covers for their books. Many of her designs were made in different colors, making them very popular.
Her art also appeared in other well-known publications like The Studio Magazine. She even illustrated special "rag books" for children, which were made of cloth and very durable. Her designs were also used for colorful postcards, printed using a method called chromolithography. She even designed an advertisement for furniture makers who followed the Arts and Crafts movement style.
Her Art in American Homes
In 1917, a big American store called Sears sold special cotton cloths called "coverettes." These cloths had Ethel Larcombe's illustrations on them and were used to decorate nurseries and children's rooms. Imagine her art being part of so many homes across the ocean!
Later Life
Ethel Larcombe passed away in her hometown of Exeter on December 12, 1940. Her beautiful illustrations and designs continue to be remembered as important examples of early 20th-century children's art.
