Georgina Moutray Kyle facts for kids

Georgina Moutray Kyle (1865 – 1950) was a talented Irish artist. She was known for her beautiful watercolour paintings and pastel drawings. Georgina was one of the few Irish artists whose work was shown at the famous Paris Salon. This was a very important art exhibition in Paris, France.

Early Life and Art Training

Georgina Kyle was born in 1865 in Craigavad, County Down, Ireland. She was the youngest daughter of George Wilson Kyle, a businessman. Georgina was taught at home when she was young. Her niece, Frances Kyle, later became the first woman to be a lawyer in Ireland.

Georgina began her art studies in 1883 at the Académie Colarossi in Paris. This was a well-known art school. After Paris, she continued her training at the Belfast School of Art. There, she won prizes for her artwork for several years in a row.

Georgina was financially independent, meaning she had her own money. Because of this, she did not need to sell her paintings to live. She often gave her artworks away as gifts. She was also known for being a strong supporter of the Unionist cause. This meant she believed Northern Ireland should remain part of the United Kingdom. She sometimes traveled to London to share her views.

Art Career and Exhibitions

When Georgina returned to Ireland, she joined the Belfast Ramblers' Sketching Club. She was a very active member of the Belfast Art Society. She showed her work there from 1894 to 1928. In 1920, she became an honorary member of the society.

Georgina was also a member of the Ulster Academy of Arts. She was elected an honorary Academician there in 1930. Her art was shown in many places. These included the Royal Hibernian Academy and the Paris Salon. The Paris Salon was a very important art show in France.

In 1945, the Belfast Museum and Art Gallery held a special exhibition of her work. It featured more than sixty of her paintings.

Travels and Artistic Style

Georgina Kyle traveled a lot across Europe. She painted many scenes from markets and harbours she visited. She also painted still-life pictures and flowers. Still-life paintings show objects like fruit or vases. She spent many summers working and painting in Ardglass, a coastal village.

Her style of painting is often described as Post-Impressionism. This art movement came after Impressionism. Artists like Georgina used bold colours and brushstrokes to show feelings and light.

Legacy and Collections

Georgina Kyle passed away at home in Belfast on February 25, 1950.

In 2004, The Naughton Gallery, Queen's University Belfast, held another exhibition of her artwork. Today, you can find her paintings in several important collections. These include the Ulster Museum, the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts, and Queen's University Belfast. Her work is also held by the North Down Museum and Belfast City Council.