Kate Bunce facts for kids
Kate Elizabeth Bunce (born August 25, 1856 – died December 24, 1927) was an English painter and poet. She was part of the Arts and Crafts movement, which focused on traditional craftsmanship and simple forms.
Kate was born in Birmingham, England. Her father, John Thackray Bunce, supported the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and worked as an editor for the Birmingham Post newspaper. Kate was taught at home. She later studied art at the Birmingham School of Art in the 1880s.
She started showing her paintings in 1874 with the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. By 1887, her art was also displayed at the Royal Academy in London. In 1888, she became an associate member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. Many of her artworks can still be seen in churches around Birmingham.
Kate Bunce's Artistic Journey
Kate Bunce's earliest known painting is The Sitting Room from 1887. In 1893, she was one of the artists asked to create large paintings for Birmingham Town Hall.
When she first started, her style was similar to other artists from the Birmingham School, where she won awards. Over time, her art was greatly influenced by famous artists like Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. These artists were part of the Pre-Raphaelites, a group known for their detailed and colorful paintings.
Kate Bunce's work often showed strong figures and clear, bright colors. Later in her life, she painted many decorative pieces for churches. She often worked with her sister, Myra Bunce, who created metalwork. Kate showed her art across England between 1887 and 1912, in cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool. Her large altar screen, called a reredos, in the church of St Alban's, Bordesley, even features many different kinds of birds.
About Kate Bunce's Life
Kate Bunce lived her entire life in Edgbaston, a part of Birmingham. She never married.
In September 2015, a special blue plaque was put up at St Alban's church to honor her. This plaque was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham. Blue plaques are often placed on buildings to mark where famous people lived or worked.
Gallery
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The Chance Meeting
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Portrait of Mrs. Macneile Dixon
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Melody (Musica), around 1895
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Reredos by Kate Bunce. The copperwork was done by her sister Myra. This is at St Alban the Martyr, Birmingham, England.
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Another view of the Reredos.
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A close-up detail of the Reredos.
