Studio RT Ltd

Description

We are offering for sale this very attractive Pastel Portrait by the artist Amata Bouwens (Mrs. T. E. Bouwens), who has signed the pastel in the lower left hand corner with her AB monogram and inscribed it verso 'Elinor, daughter of Reverend M. Wood pinxt Amata Bouwens 1896'. The portrait depicts Elinor, apparently her in late teen or early twenties, wearing a blue coat and red beret over her long blonde hair.

Unfortunately, we have been unable to trace any information about Elinor, but Amata Bouwens was in India in 1893 and 1894, so it was possible that this portrait was done in India, before her return. She was exhbiting at the Calcutta Art Society in both these years and won the Silver Medal for best head in any medium in 1893. We know she was in London in 1898, as she held an exhibition at 37 Sloane Gardens primarily exhibiting pastel portraits and including a few oils. However, we also know that she was exhibiting at the RA from 1895 from Laleham, so perhaps this portrait was executed here. It was originally framed by a London frame maker, as shown by the label on the back.

Amata Bouwens 1855-1928 was baptised Amy Marie Greville, the eldest daughter of Stapleton John Greville, an office in the Royal Navy, who later became a Rear-Admiral and private secretary to the Duke of Northumberland. She was born in Corfu, where he married her mother Enrichetta, later known as Henrietta in official records. It may be that her mother called her Amata, rather than Amy and in the art world, she went by this Christian name.

In October 1880, she married Theodore Edward Bouwens 1850-1936, the son of the Reverend Theodore Bouwens and Lady Julia Bouwens, at All Saints Church, Laleham.

She exhibited 9 paintings at the Royal Academy between 1891-93 from 32 Gloucester Road in London and from 1895-97 from Laleham near Staines. She also exhibited 2 at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, 2 at the Society of Women Artists and 1 at the Royal Institue of Painters in Watercolours.

Titles at the RA include, A Child of the Pantomime, Shadowy dreaming Adeline, An Acolyte, Lady Clare, Ruth, daughter of Ralph Dalyell Esq. CB, My Little Model, Birdie, Eveline, daughter of Rear-Admiral Greville, The Manor House, Littleton, Shepperton (her youngest sister), and Gevenieve.

She is listed in The Dictionary of British Artists (Collectors' Club).and The Dictionary of Portrait Painters in Britain.

Amata Bouwens died on 30th April, 1928 at the age of 73. Both she and her husband, who died in 1936, were buried at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Littleton.

The pastel is still in its original slip, but has been reframed in a 2 1/4 inches ornate gilt frame to suit. It will be supplied with new brass hangers, new brass picture wire and will be ready to hang.

Image size: 15 3/8 x 11 3/8 inches - 39cm x 29cm

Frame size: 22 x 18 inches - 55.85cm x 45.75cm

Medium: Pastels on board

Condition: Very good. There is no damage and the slip is in very good condition. The frame is new.