Elizabeth Stanhope Forbes Paintings

Elizabeth Stanhope Forbes was a Canadian-born painter who was associated with the Newlyn School of artists in Cornwall, England. She was born on December 29, 1859, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Forbes showed artistic talent at an early age and studied art in Canada, the United States, and Europe. In Europe, she received training in several cities, including Munich and Paris, where she was influenced by the plein air painting style of the French Impressionists.

Forbes moved to Newlyn, Cornwall, in the 1880s, where she became an integral part of the artists' colony there. The Newlyn School artists were known for their realist works, which often depicted the lives and landscapes of the local community. Forbes married fellow artist Stanhope Forbes in 1889, and together they became central figures in the Newlyn artistic community.

Elizabeth Forbes was particularly noted for her sensitive portrayal of children and her depiction of domestic and rural life. She worked in both oils and watercolors and also contributed illustrations to various publications. Her work was well received during her lifetime, and she exhibited at major venues such as the Royal Academy in London.

Beyond her painting, Forbes was also an influential teacher. She and her husband founded the Newlyn Art School, which played a crucial role in fostering the talents of the next generation of artists in the region. Tragically, Elizabeth's health began to decline in the early 1900s, and she died on March 16, 1912. Despite her relatively short life, Elizabeth Forbes left a lasting impact on the Cornish art scene, and her work continues to be celebrated for its charm, technical skill, and empathetic portrayal of her subjects.