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Stella Marks

MVO, RMS, ASMP
300 x 404
Stella Marks self-portrait in oils, ca. 1940
Born (1887-11-27)November 27, 1887
Melbourne, Australia
Died November 18, 1985(1985-11-18) (aged 97)
Kent, United Kingdom
Nationality Australian and British
Education National Gallery of Victoria Art School, Melbourne
Known for Portrait miniature artist
Notable work
Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II when she was a princess, Winston Churchill, Churchill's daughter Mary, Prince Philip, Prince Charles at age 2, and all the royal children.
Spouse(s) Montagu Marks
Awards Member of the Victorian Order
1978

Stella Marks (November 27, 1887 – November 18, 1985) was a talented artist. She was born in Melbourne, Australia. Stella Marks was famous for painting tiny, detailed pictures called portrait miniatures. She also created bigger artworks using oils, charcoal, and pastels.

She worked as an artist in Australia, the United States, and Great Britain. Stella Marks was a member of important art groups. These included the Royal Society of Miniature Painters and the American Society of Miniature Painters.

In 1948, she was asked to paint a miniature of Princess Elizabeth. Princess Elizabeth later became Queen Elizabeth II. Stella Marks painted 14 miniatures of the British royal family. She received a special honor called Member of the Royal Victorian Order in 1978. She was married to another artist, Montagu Marks. He later worked in the British film industry.

Life as an Artist

Stella Marks was born in Carlton, Melbourne, Australia. She learned art at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School. Her teachers were Lindsay Bernard Hall and Frederick McCubbin.

In 1912, she painted her first miniature. Other artists, Penleigh Boyd and Montagu Marks, encouraged her to try it.

Working in America

Stella Marks moved to New York City with her husband in 1914. She quickly became well-known in art and social groups there. In 1916, she was asked to paint a miniature of Princess Patricia of Connaught. Princess Patricia was the daughter of the Governor General of Canada.

About 100,000 copies of this miniature were printed. They were sold to help the Canadian Red Cross. Princess Patricia gave signed copies to the families of soldiers from her regiment who had died. She thought it was the best picture of herself.

Between 1915 and 1934, Stella Marks painted many famous people. These included the spy Sydney Reilly and actresses like Edith Day. She also painted musicians, a multi-millionaire, and a Japanese lady. She even painted the writer Aleister Crowley. Two of her miniatures were bought by the National Gallery of Victoria.

In 1934, Stella Marks was offered a big role. She was asked to be the president of the American Society of Miniature Painters. But she had to say no because she was moving to the UK. Her husband, Montagu Marks, joined a film company there.

Art in the UK

Between 1931 and 1940, some of Stella Marks' paintings were shown. They were displayed at the famous London Royal Academy of Arts.

In 1941, she painted a miniature of Mary Churchill. Mary was the youngest daughter of Winston Churchill. It is said that Winston Churchill always carried this tiny painting with him during World War II.

In 1948, Stella Marks received a very special request. The Duke of Edinburgh asked her to paint Princess Elizabeth. After this, she painted Prince Philip and all the royal children. This included the very first portrait of Prince Charles when he was two years old.

Another important miniature she painted was of Sir Winston Churchill in 1966. It was a "miniature within a miniature."

On December 30, 1978, Stella Marks was given the honor of Member of the Victorian Order. This was for her amazing work.

In 1980, she had to stop painting. She resigned from the Royal Miniature Society because she had almost completely lost her eyesight.

Stella Marks passed away on November 18, 1985, in Kent, United Kingdom.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Stella Marks para niños

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