Margaret Francis Ellen Baskerville facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Margaret Francis Ellen Baskerville
Born	(1861-09-14)14 September 1861 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died	6 July 1930(1930-07-06) (aged 68) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Education	National Gallery School, Royal College of Art Modelling School
Known for	Sculpture
Spouse(s)	Charles Douglas Richardson ​ (m. 1914)​

Margaret Francis Ellen Baskerville (1861–1930) was a talented Australian artist. She was a sculptor, a water-colourist, and a teacher. Many people consider her to be Victoria's first professional woman sculptor.

Early Life and Education

Margaret Baskerville was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on 14 September 1861. She loved art from a young age. From 1879 to 1887, she studied at the National Gallery School in Melbourne. She took classes in both painting and design.

In 1886, Margaret joined the Buonarotti Club. This was a group of artists and writers who met to share ideas. It was a very creative and lively club. Later, from 1904 to 1906, she traveled to London, England. There, she studied at the Royal College of Art Modelling School. This helped her become even better at sculpture.

Career and Marriage

Margaret Baskerville returned to Australia in 1906. She started working in a studio with her former teacher, Charles Douglas Richardson. They worked together and shared their artistic ideas. In 1914, Margaret and Charles got married.

Margaret created many important sculptures in Australia. Her first big project was a bronze statue of Sir Thomas Bent. He was the 22nd Premier of Victoria. Being a Premier is like being the leader of a state government. Margaret was the first Australian woman sculptor to get such an important job. She also made memorials for James Cuming and Edith Cavell.

Exhibitions and Memberships

Margaret Baskerville often showed her artwork to the public. She had many exhibitions throughout her career. Her last exhibition was in 1929, just a year before she passed away.

She was also a member of several art groups. These groups helped artists connect and share their work. Some of the groups she joined included:

• The Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors
• The Yarra Sculptors' Society
• The Victorian Sketching Club
• The Women's Art Club
• The council of the Australian Institute of the Arts and Literature
• The Austral Salon
• The Victorian Artists Society

Legacy

Margaret Baskerville passed away on 6 July 1930 in Melbourne. She left behind a wonderful collection of sculptures and artworks. Her work helped pave the way for other women artists in Australia.

Today, a street in Canberra is named in her honor. Baskerville Street is located in the suburb of Chisholm.