Violet Emily Whiteman (née Sells; 24 December 1873 – 21 January 1952) was an English-born New Zealand artist.[1] Her work is in the permanent collection of the Sarjeant Gallery in Whanganui, New Zealand.[2] Her paintings depict farm animals and pets, including foxes, dogs and horses.

Whiteman was born in Guildford, Surrey, England, in 1873.[3] She studied art at Herkomer School in Bushey; she also studied anatomy at the London Veterinary College and took lessons from animal painters William Frank Calderon and Stanhope Forbes.[2]

In 1926 she moved to New Zealand and settled near Whanganui and lived on a farm. She exhibited with the Wanganui Arts Society.[3] She also accepted private commissions to paint clients' pets and prized animals, such as the racehorse Beau Le Havre.[1]

Whiteman died in Whanganui on 21 January 1952, and her body was buried in Aramoho Cemetery.[4][5][6]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Violet Whiteman". Sarjeant Gallery Whanganui. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b "The Story of Teddy Fox". Sarjeant Gallery Whanganui. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  3. ^ a b Stephenson, Kimberley (5 November 2014). "Artist's affection for fox shines in portraits". Whanganui Chronicle. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  4. ^ Platts, Una. "Whiteman, Violet Emily née Sells 1873–1952". Nineteenth century New Zealand artists: a guide & handbook. Christchurch: Avon Fine Prints. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Death search: registration number 1952/19424". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Cemetery view". Whanganui District Council. Retrieved 4 February 2020.