Lily Allport facts for kids

Curzona Frances Louise (Lily) Allport (born July 18, 1860 – died April 29, 1949) was a talented artist from Tasmania, Australia. She created many beautiful works, including oil paintings, watercolours, and pastel drawings. Lily Allport is remembered as a pioneering artist who achieved success in Europe.

Who Was Lily Allport?

Lily Allport was born in Tasmania. Her father was Morton Allport, a lawyer and photographer. Her mother was Elizabeth Ritchie. Art was in Lily's family! Her grandmother, Mary Morton Allport, was also an artist. Mary is even thought to be the first professional female artist in the Australian colonies.

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

From a young age, Lily showed a passion for art. She received her first drawing lessons from her grandmother, Mary Morton Allport. These early lessons helped Lily develop her artistic skills. She decided she wanted to make art her career.

Studying Art in Europe

To follow her dream, Lily moved to England in 1888. She traveled with her mother, Elizabeth, and her sister, Eva. At first, her family helped her with money. But soon, Lily was able to support herself. She earned money by selling her many artworks. These included oil paintings, watercolours, and relief prints.

While in Europe, Lily studied with famous artists. Some of her teachers included Hubert Vos and Charles Wellington Furse. Learning from these masters helped her improve her techniques.

A Trailblazing Artist

Lily Allport achieved a major milestone in her career. In 1894, a newspaper called The Mercury reported exciting news. Lily was the first artist from Tasmania to have her work shown at the famous Royal Academy of Arts. This was a huge accomplishment for an Australian artist at that time. It showed how talented and dedicated she was.

Lily Allport's art and achievements continue to inspire young artists today.