Sarah Louise Kilpack (1839-1909) - Late 19th Century Oil Storm

Description

A fine little oil painting by the prominent musician and marine artist Sarah Louise Kilpack (1839-1909). The mast of a ship and a barrel can be seen on the rocks in the foreground, washed up from a shipwreck. Presented in a distressed gilt-effect wooden frame with a floral and foliate running pattern to the outer edge and a gilt-effect slip. Signed to the lower-left edge. On board.

Condition

Inspection under UV light reveals some very small areas of retouching. There has been some transfer of gold pigment to the left and right edges of the painting from the frame. Overall in good condition.

Size

9 x 19cm (3.5" x 7.5")

Artist Biography

Sarah Louise Kilpack (1839-1909) was a British artist and musician who is best known for her portrayals of stormy coastal scenes. Kilpack was born in Covent Garden in London. Her father, Thomas, was the proprietor of a popular tobacconists and bowling alley called Gliddon's Divan. She was a talented but shy child, enjoying artistic pursuits including drawing and music. As a young woman she became a King's Scholar at the Royal Academy of Music, under the tutelage of Kate Loder. She became an Associate of the Academy and began a career as a pianist, performing in concerts and providing tuition. Income from her musical work enabled her to travel outside of London, where she would sketch. The family became more dependent on the income from her concert playing particularly after the death of her mother in 1863. At this time she first travelled to the Channel Islands where she became a frequent visitor. She remained somewhat distrustful of people, which is reflected in the stormy nature of many of her paintings. In 1876, following the demise of her father, she gave up music and concentrated on art. She became a very successful artist with a particular focus on marine art, exhibiting 119 landscapes at the Society of Women Artists between 1867 and 1909, and also at the British Institution. In 1989, a series of stamps was issued to mark the 150th anniversary of Sarah Louisa Kilpack's birth, highlighting her importance in the culture of Jersey. Her works are exhibited in the Jersey Museum and Art Gallery, and in the Rona Cole Art Gallery on Guernsey. Paintings by Kilpack can also be found at Chepstow Museum, Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, and the National Trust property Belton House.