Maria Spilsbury facts for kids

Maria Spilsbury (1776–1820) was a talented British artist. She was well-known for her religious paintings and portraits of people.

Maria Spilsbury: A Talented Artist

Early Life and Art Training

Maria Spilsbury was born in London in 1776. Her parents were Rebecca and Jonathan Spilsbury. Her younger brother, Jonathan Robert Henry, was born a few years later. In 1789, her family moved to Ireland. Her father worked as a tutor there. They returned to London two years later.

Maria learned art from her father. He was a friend of famous artists like Joshua Reynolds. She also had lessons from Sir William Beecher for painting with colors. For music, she was taught by Charles Wesley the Younger. He even said she was the best amateur organist in London!

A Popular Artist

Even though Maria never went to a formal art school, she started showing her paintings at the Royal Academy when she was just fifteen. She continued to exhibit her art throughout her life. Her paintings were also shown at other important places. These included the British Institution and the Royal Academy. She also showed her work in Ireland.

Maria was very good at painting portraits of people. She also painted everyday scenes and pictures with a moral message. Her art often showed religious themes. These themes focused on personal faith and spreading Christian messages. Her art studio in London was very popular. People would line up to see her work on special viewing days. Even the future King, George IV, visited her studio. He was one of her important supporters.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1808, Maria married John Taylor. He was a Protestant minister. She moved to Ireland with him in 1813. She continued to paint actively there. Sadly, Maria became unwell and passed away in Dublin on June 1, 1820.

Today, you can find her paintings in many places. These include private collections and public museums. Some of her works are in the National Gallery of Ireland. Others are at the British Museum.

Famous Works

Henry Grattan MP, in a library (around 1817)

Here are some of Maria Spilsbury's well-known paintings:

• Miss Elizabeth Angerstein Attended by Guardian Angels (shown in 1805)
• The Schoolmistress (painted in 1803)
• Confusion, or The Nursery in the Kitchen (shown in 1811)
• The House of Protection for Destitute Females of Character (shown in 1806 and 1807)
• Two Girls Applying for Admission (shown in 1806 and 1807)
• Christ Feeding the Multitude, The Second Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes—St. Matthew, xv (shown in 1804)
• The Fourth of June (shown in 1807 and 1808)
• The Royal Jubilee, as Celebrated at Great Malvern, 1809 (shown in 1811)
• John Wesley Preaching in the Open Air at Willybank, Rossana (painted in 1814 or 1815)
• Patron's Day at the Seven Churches, Glendalough (shown in 1816)
• Mrs. Henry Grattan
• Alexander Hamilton and his Wife and Daughters
• Portrait of Francis Synge
• Portrait of the Reverend Benjamin Williams Mathias (1772–1841)
• Portrait of the Rev. William Kingsbury
• Pattern at Glendalough