Rosamond Praeger facts for kids

Sophia Rosamond Praeger was a talented Irish artist. She was a sculptor, illustrator, poet, and writer. Born in 1867, she created many beautiful artworks. She is especially known for her sculptures of children.

Early Life and Learning

Sophia Rosamond Praeger was born in Holywood, Ireland. This was on April 17, 1867. Her father, Willem Emil Praeger, came from Holland. He worked in a family linen business in Belfast. Sophia had five brothers. One of them was the famous naturalist Robert Lloyd Praeger.

Sophia went to a local day school first. Later, she even taught there herself. She also attended Sullivan Upper School. For her art studies, she went to the Belfast School of Art. Then she studied at the Slade School of Art in London.

At the Belfast School of Art, Sophia learned from George Trobridge. She joined a sketching club in 1886. At the Slade School, she studied under Alphonse Legros. She even won a silver medal for her drawing there. She became friends with another sculptor, Ellen Mary Rope. From 1892 to 1893, Sophia traveled to Paris to study art. Her teachers encouraged her to go.

Her Artistic Career

After studying in Paris, Sophia came back to Holywood. She set up her own art studio there. She rented several studios in Belfast over the years. In 1914, she built her own studio. It was called St Brigid's Studio on Hibernia Street. She worked there until she passed away.

Sophia got her first big art job in 1907. She created a memorial for T. Hamilton. This memorial is at Queen's University Belfast.

Sophia also wrote and drew pictures for children's books. She even drew plants for her brother's science books. But she is most famous for her sculptures. She mainly worked with plaster. She also used marble, terracotta, and stone. Her most famous pieces show children. People often describe her style as sweet and gentle.

Her best-known sculpture is The Philosopher. It was first shown in London in 1920. This was at the Royal Academy. Sophia made several copies of it. These copies are now in different museums.

Some of her other sculptures include:

• "Johnny The Jig" in Holywood (near the maypole)
• "Fionnuala the Daughter of Lir" at the Causeway School (1911–17)
• Founders of Riddell Hall at Queen's University Belfast (1926)
• Lord Edward Carson Memorial at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast (1938)

Sophia also made figures for other places. These include the Northern Bank and the Carnegie Library. She also created art for St Anne's Church of Ireland Cathedral in Belfast. She was once the President of the Ulster Academy. This academy later became the Royal Ulster Academy.

Selected Artworks

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  "Johnny The Jig" sculpture in Holywood

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  Lord Carson memorial plaque, St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast

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  Bird bath memorial to Hamilton Harty, Hillsborough

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  First World War memorial on Pump House, Belfast

Awards and Lasting Impact

Ulster History Circle plaque at the site of Praeger's studio in Holywood

Sophia Praeger received many honors. In 1927, she became an Honorary Academician. This was at the Royal Hibernian Academy. Queen's University Belfast gave her an honorary MA degree in 1938. In 1939, she received the MBE award.

Sophia passed away on April 16, 1954. She was at Rock Cottage in Craigavad, County Down. This was just one day before her 87th birthday. She was buried in the Priory Cemetery.

Sophia Praeger's art is still important today. Her work is in the Ulster Museum. It is also in the National Gallery of Ireland. Many private art collections around the world have her pieces too. A house at Sullivan Upper School is named after her. It is also named after her brother Robert.