Eliza Pratt Greatorex Paintings

Eliza Pratt Greatorex was an Irish-born American artist, notable for being the second woman to be elected as an associate of the National Academy of Design in 1869. Born in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, Ireland, on December 25, 1819, Eliza Pratt emigrated with her family to the United States in 1840, settling in New York City.

She developed a passion for art at a young age and pursued her education in the field. She married Henry Wellington Greatorex, a composer, in 1849. After her husband's death in 1858, Eliza focused more intensely on her career to support her family. She studied under various artists, including James Hart and later in Europe with artists like Émile Lambinet.

Greatorex became well-known for her detailed and evocative etchings and paintings of landscapes and architectural subjects. She was particularly interested in historic buildings, which were the subjects of many of her works, and she is remembered for her contributions to documenting architectural heritage through her art, especially in an era of rapid urban development and the consequent loss of many historic structures. Her series of etchings titled 'Old New York,' published in 1875, captured the disappearing landmarks of the city's past.

Eliza Pratt Greatorex traveled extensively, which greatly influenced her work. She visited Europe multiple times, and in 1870, she undertook a significant trip to North Africa, specifically Algeria and Egypt, which resulted in a body of work that included Orientalist landscapes. Her works were exhibited in the United States and Europe, garnering acclaim and establishing her as a significant figure in the art world of her time.

She also played a role in advocating for women's rights and was an active member of the art community, supporting the careers of other women artists. Greatorex continued to create art throughout her life and passed away on February 9, 1897, in Paris, France. Today, her works are a valuable record of 19th-century landscapes and architecture, reflecting her keen observation and artistic skill.