Helen Allingham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helen Allingham
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Helen Allingham in 1903
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Helen Mary Elizabeth Paterson
26 September 1848 Swadlincote, Derbyshire, England
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| Died | 28 September 1926 |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | H. Paterson |
| Occupation | illustrator and watercolour artist |
| Spouse(s) | William Allingham (1874–1889) |
Helen Allingham RWS (born Paterson; 26 September 1848 – 28 September 1926) was a famous British watercolour artist and illustrator. She lived during the Victorian era. Helen Allingham was known for her beautiful paintings of English cottages and gardens.
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Helen Allingham's Early Life
Helen Mary Elizabeth Paterson was born on 26 September 1848. Her birthplace was Swadlincote in Derbyshire, England. Her father, Alexander Henry Paterson, was a doctor. Her mother was Mary Herford Paterson. Helen was the oldest of seven children in her family.
A year after she was born, her family moved to Altrincham in Cheshire. In 1862, a sad event happened. Her father and her three-year-old sister, Isabel, both died from diphtheria. This was during a big sickness outbreak. After this, the rest of her family moved to Birmingham. Some of her father's family lived there.
Becoming an Artist: Helen's Education
Helen Paterson showed a talent for art from a young age. She found inspiration from her grandmother, Sarah Smith Herford, and her aunt, Laura Herford. Both of these women were skilled artists. Helen's younger sister, Caroline Paterson, also became a well-known artist.
Helen first studied art for three years at the Birmingham School of Design. Then, she spent a year at the Royal Female School of Art in London. After that, she followed her aunt Laura Herford to the National Art Training School. In 1867, she joined the Royal Academy School. This school later became the Royal College of Art.
Helen Allingham's Art Career
While studying at the National Art Training School, Helen Paterson also worked as an illustrator. An illustrator is someone who draws pictures for books and magazines. She decided to stop her studies to work full-time as an artist. She drew pictures for children's and adult books. She also worked for newspapers like The Graphic.
One important job was in 1874. She was asked to draw twelve pictures for a book called Far from the Madding Crowd. This book was written by Thomas Hardy. Her drawings from this time were signed "H. Paterson" or "H. Allingham." She became very good friends with Kate Greenaway. They met in evening art classes.
Influence on Other Artists
Even famous artists were impressed by Helen's work. Vincent van Gogh, a well-known painter, studied English illustrated journals. He was really struck by Helen Paterson's drawings in The Graphic. Even though women artists did not get as much recognition as men back then, Helen Allingham made a big impact. Artists like Van Gogh were influenced by her unique style.
Life as a Watercolour Artist
On 22 August 1874, Helen married William Allingham. He was an Irish poet and editor. He was almost twice her age. After she got married, she stopped working as an illustrator. Instead, she started focusing on watercolour painting.
In 1881, Helen and William moved from Chelsea to Witley in Surrey. Their first son, Gerald Carlyle, was born in November 1875. Their daughter was born in February 1877, and their last son in May 1882. Helen began to paint the countryside around her home. She especially loved painting the pretty farmhouses, cottages, and gardens of Surrey and Sussex. These paintings made her very famous.
In 1889, her husband died. Helen was 41 years old. She felt she needed to support her three young children, who were 14, 12, and 7. So, she painted even more watercolours. She paid great attention to detail in her work. Her paintings showed a peaceful, beautiful countryside. They became very popular. Many people who lived far away or in busy cities loved her work. They felt a sense of longing for the quiet countryside.
Helen also painted rural scenes in other parts of England. These included Middlesex, Kent, the Isle of Wight, and the West Country. She even painted abroad in Venice, Italy. Besides landscapes, she painted several portraits. One famous portrait was of Thomas Carlyle.
In 1890, Helen Allingham made history. She became the first woman to be a full member of the Royal Watercolour Society. In 1893, she showed her art at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. Her work was displayed in the Palace of Fine Arts.
Helen Allingham's Legacy
The Helen Allingham Society was started in 2000. This group helps keep her memory and art alive. In Altrincham, where she lived, there are blue plaques. These plaques are special signs that mark places connected to famous people. They are at 16 Market Street and at Levenhurst, St. John's Road, Bowdon.
Burgh House in Hampstead has the largest collection of her work. It also holds many of her historical papers.
Paintings
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William Allingham 1876
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Irish Cottage
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A Herbaceous Border
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Harvest Moon
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A Cottage With Sunflowers At Peaslake
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The Lady of the Manor
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Morning at the Quay in Venice
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Thomas Carlyle, historian and essayist (1795–1881)
See also
- Walter Tyndale (1855–1943), an artist influenced by Allingham who also lived in Surrey.
- Myles Birket Foster
