Lucy Gwendolen Williams facts for kids

Lucy Gwendolen Williams (born 1870, died 1955) was a talented British artist. She was known for her amazing sculptures and paintings. Her family, the Williams family, came from Highfield Hall in Flintshire.

Her Early Life and Training

Lucy Gwendolen Williams was born in Lower Bebington, Cheshire. Her father, Henry Lewis Williams, was a vicar. Her mother's name was Katherine.

In the 1890s, Gwen studied art at the Wimbledon College of Arts. Her teacher there was Alfred Drury. Later, she went to the Royal College of Art. There, she learned from Professor Édouard Lantéri.

Gwen mainly created art using bronze or marble. She made small statues, busts (sculptures of a person's head and shoulders), and heads of children. She also painted watercolours and made relief art. Gwen enjoyed gardening and was interested in a philosophy called Theosophy. She passed away in Buxton in 1955.

Her Amazing Art Career

Gwen Williams had a long art career that lasted over 40 years. She mostly worked in London. She also lived in Rome for about eight or nine years starting in 1910. She might have worked in New York for some time too.

In 1893, while still a student, some of her art was shown at the Royal Academy. She continued to show her work there until 1935. Her art was also displayed at the Royal Scottish Academy, the Paris salon, and in Rome and New York. In 1935, she had her own art show at the Brook Street Gallery in London.

Gwen won several awards for her art. These included silver medals at the National Eisteddfod of Wales and the Franco-British exhibition. She also won a bronze Santiago medal. Important people bought her art, including Queen Alexandra of Denmark and Queen Margherita of Italy.

You can find examples of her work in Britain. There are two bronze statues in Leeds and one in Liverpool. A famous piece called 'The Queen of Dreams' is at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This artwork shows the influence of her teacher, Alfred Drury. It is made from Spelter, which is a zinc alloy. Spelter was often used because it was cheaper than bronze.

The National Museum of Wales in Cardiff has three of her pieces: The Chase, The Stick, and Jeanette. More of her works are kept at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. In 1926, Gwen was asked to create a bronze bust of Robert Owen. This sculpture is now on display at the museum dedicated to his life in Newtown, Powys.