Lilla Vanston facts for kids

Lilla Mary Vanston (born Lydia Mary Coffey, 16 May 1870 – 23 March 1959) was an important Irish artist. She was known for creating beautiful sculptures and painting portraits of people.

Early Life and Education

Lilla Vanston was born on May 16, 1870. Her father, Rev. John T. Coffey, was a church leader in Mogorban, a place in County Tipperary, Ireland. Her mother was Lizzie Moulson.

Lilla went to the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. This was a special school where she learned about art. Around the year 1900, she married John S. Vanston, who was a lawyer.

Family and Interests

Lilla Vanston was very interested in Irish culture. She became a member of the Gaelic League. This group worked to keep the Irish language and traditions alive. She often visited Achill Island, a place in Ireland where people still spoke Irish.

Lilla and John had one daughter named Dairine Vanston. Dairine also grew up to become an artist, just like her mother.

Artistic Journey

Lilla Vanston started showing her artwork early in her career. In 1898, she showed a special medal-like sculpture called a medallion at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) show. She showed another piece there in 1903.

She also displayed her art at the Oireachtas na Gaeilge exhibitions in 1907 and 1911. These events celebrated Irish culture and art.

Exhibitions and Famous Works

Between 1904 and 1921, Lilla Vanston showed ten different artworks at the RHA. Most of these were portraits of people and small statues called statuettes. One famous portrait she painted in 1904 was of Thomas O'Neill Russell. He was an important person in the Gaelic League.

Lilla wanted her art to help her country. She joined a group called the Irish Art Companions. This group started in 1904 to bring back Irish art, especially religious statues. They wanted to create Irish-made statues instead of importing them from other countries.

Notable Sculpture

The Irish Art Companions had their own workshop in Dublin. They could make plaster statues and then make them look like bronze. In 1907, Lilla Vanston created a special plaque for this group. It was shown at the Arts and Crafts Society of Ireland exhibition in 1910.

This plaque was called The lament of Banba or Erin mourns for her dead heroes. The Irish Times newspaper said it was "one of the most beautiful decorative designs we have seen here for some time." They praised its "wonderful grace and freedom." Lilla was also part of the United Arts Club, a group that included famous artists like Jack Butler Yeats.

Later Life and Legacy

By the 1920s, Lilla Vanston's husband had passed away. She then moved to Paris, France, where her daughter Dairine was studying art. While in Paris, Lilla showed her work at the Salon d'Automne, a famous art show.

She spent a lot of time in Paris until World War II began. It is believed that by this time, she had become a Buddhist. Lilla Vanston lived at 13 Herbert Street in Dublin until she passed away on March 23, 1959. She died at the Royal City of Dublin Hospital.

See also

In Spanish: Lilla Vanston para niños