Sophia Beale facts for kids

Sarah Sophia Beale (born November 5, 1837 – died 1920) was a talented British artist. She was known for painting portraits of people. She also wrote books about art and buildings.

About Sarah Sophia Beale

The Pleasures of Art by Sarah Sophia Beale, 1871

Sarah Sophia Beale was born in the middle of London. Her father, Lionel John Beale, was a surgeon. Her mother was Frances Smith.

Sarah had a brother, Lionel Smith Beale, who was also a surgeon. Her sister, Ellen Brooker Beale, was an artist too. The two sisters often worked on art projects together.

Early Life and Art Training

Both Sarah and Ellen Beale went to Queen's College, London. They also took art classes at a private school run by the artist Matthew Leigh.

The sisters spent a lot of time at the National Gallery and the British Museum. They would copy famous old paintings and ancient artworks.

From 1860 to 1867, Sarah and Ellen shared an art studio. It was in Covent Garden on Long Acre in London.

Studying in Paris and Opening a School

In 1869 and again in 1872, Sarah Beale traveled to Paris, France. She studied art at Charles Joshua Chaplin's studio. She also worked as a supervisor at another art studio there.

When she came back to London, Sarah used the money she had earned. She opened her own art school on Albany Street, near Regent's Park. The art methods she learned in Paris were very popular at that time.

Supporting Women's Rights

Sarah Sophia Beale was a strong supporter of women's rights. In 1889, she was one of 2,000 people who signed a declaration. This declaration supported women's suffrage, which meant women's right to vote.

She also believed that the Royal Academy and universities should allow more women to study there.

Art Exhibitions

During her career, Sarah Beale showed her art in many places. She exhibited about 30 of her works at the Sussex Street gallery of the Society of British Artists.

The Royal Academy also accepted eight of her paintings. These were shown between 1863 and 1887.

From 1868 to 1882, she exhibited her art at the Royal Hibernian Academy. She also showed her work with the Society of Women Artists from 1860 to 1881.

In 1908, Sarah Beale published her autobiography. An autobiography is a book about a person's own life. Her book was called Recollections of a Spinster Aunt.

Books by Sarah Sophia Beale

Sarah Sophia Beale wrote several books, mostly about art and architecture:

• The Louvre, a complete and concise handbook to all the collections of the museum, being an abridgement of the French official catalogues, 1883. (This was a guide to the famous Louvre Museum in Paris.)
• The Amateur's Guide to Architecture, 1887. (A guide for people who enjoy learning about buildings and their design.)
• The Churches of Paris from Clovis to Charles X, 1893. (A book about the history of churches in Paris.)
• Recollections of a Spinster Aunt, 1908. (Her autobiography, telling her life story.)

See also

In Spanish: Sophia Beale para niños