Access Art - The Artists

Nurse and Philippa 1908

Louie Burrell 1873-1971 painter

Louie Burrell

Sir Stanley Spencer

Vanessa Bell

Wyndham Lewis

Over to You

What the critics say:
She was one of the very great water-colourists and portraitists of her time –- of all time. The equal of the greatest of the miniaturists of the last 400 years. The last of a great line.

Jim Murrell, Conservator of Miniatures, Victoria and Albert Museum

Born into a family of artists, studied art under Hubert von Herkomer. In 1904, she went to South Africa where she supported herself painting portraits until she met and married Philip Burrell. She returned to England in 1908. Her husband died just before leaving Africa to join her. She became the leading London portrait miniaturist, painting many members of the royal family. Suffering bad health, she moved to Canada but during World War 1 commissions dried up and she suffered great hardship. Returned to England in 1919, let out lodgings and became a cook. In 1923, she sat in a shop window painting quick portraits where she was seen by Mrs Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister’s wife, who became her patron. Died in 1971, in poverty, virtually unknown.

Key achievements:
Established a career as a painter at a time when it was hard for women to do so without financial support. Portraits included Charlie Chaplin, Indian princes and British royal family.