Lilla Minnie Perry facts for kids

Lilla Minnie Perry (born Lilla Minnie Bagwell) was an important Irish artist. She was known for her beautiful landscape paintings. Lilla lived from June 10, 1888, to August 30, 1974. She mostly painted scenes of nature using watercolours.

About Lilla Perry's Life

Lilla Minnie Bagwell was born on June 10, 1888. Her birthplace was Marlfield House, Clonmel, in County Tipperary, Ireland. She was the youngest child of Richard and Harriet Bagwell. Lilla grew up in Marlfield House.

In 1915, she married John Perry, who was a captain in the merchant navy. They had three sons and one daughter, Mary Lilla. They lived at the Perry family home in Newcastle, County Tipperary. After their home was damaged in 1921, they moved. They then lived at a place called Birdhill, which was close to Marlfield House. Lilla Perry passed away at Marlfield House in 1974.

Her Journey as an Artist

Lilla Perry mostly taught herself how to paint. She did spend a few months in Italy when she was young. It is thought she might have had some art lessons too. She loved to paint with watercolours.

Lilla showed her artwork often. From 1908 to 1970, she exhibited with the Water Colour Society of Ireland (WCSI). She showed over 100 paintings there! At first, she used her maiden name, Lilla Bagwell. Later, she used her married name, Lilla Perry.

In 1909, her art was shown in London for the first time. She also had her paintings in exhibitions at the Society of Women Artists in London around 1911 and 1912. Lilla painted throughout her life. But she was most active in the 1920s and 1930s. Between 1927 and 1930, she showed five paintings at the Royal Hibernian Academy. She also exhibited with other art clubs in Ireland.

What Lilla Perry Painted

Lilla Perry loved to paint nature. Her favorite subjects were gardens, trees, and rivers. Many of her paintings showed scenes from her home at Birdhill. She also painted places around Clonmel.

Her painting style changed over time. At first, she used soft, quiet colours. Her early works showed lots of small details. Later, her paintings became brighter. She used looser brushstrokes, making her art feel more free.

One of her paintings, Kilmanahan castle near Clonmel, was shown in 1970. This was at a special exhibition for the WCSI's 100th anniversary. Most of Lilla Perry's paintings are owned by private collectors. However, the South Tipperary County Museum in Clonmel has some of her work. These include Knocklofty bridge (painted in 1940) and Clonmel and the River Suir (painted in 1931).