Marcella Claudia Herber Smith
“Born East Molesey, Surrey, England, Mar. 6, 1887.” (1)
“She studied at Corcoran School of Art in Washington, America, at the School of Design and Philadelphia and in Paris. She was a member of the Royal Society of British Artists, the Society of Women Artists of which she was vice-president, the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers and the Royal Institute of Painters as well as the Society of Artists in St. Ives and acted as curator for Lanham's Art Gallery in the High Street, although she retained a base in London. Also exhibited at the Royal Academy, New English Art Club, Royal Cambrian Academy and Royal Institute of Oil Painters.” (2)
“She first came to St Ives in 1914, her initial success at RA in 1916 being St Ives Harbour. Concentrated on landscapes and townscapes in early years, and painted from 3 Porthmeor Studios by 1920. Moved to London 1921 to live with Dorothea SHARP in Maida Vale, but maintained her St Ives studio. She was invited to contribute a painting to Queen Mary's Doll House (1922). In 1930s, she concentrated on flower paintings in oil, and increased the size of her canvases. One of these, Peonies, is illustrated in the Falmouth Exhibition Catalogue (1996) and three other titles exhibited were Magnolia Grandiflora, Anemones, and An Arrangement of Herbaceous Cut Flowers, all from private collections. She lived in St Ives with Dorothea SHARP during WWII, and acted as a curator for Lanham's Gallery, organising exhibitions and running the shows. After the split of STISA, she returned to London, but continued to go back and forth between the two.” (3)
“Pupil of Delecluse in Paris; Fred Milner at Royal British Academy in London; Corcoran School of Art, Washington; Phila. School of Design.” (1)
“She died in 1963 in St Ives at 1 Piazza Studios.” (3)
Reference
1. Levy, F.N. American Art Annual. Washington, DC: The American Federation of Arts; 1923.
2. Wilson, P. Lot 1|Peter Wilson [internet]. The Saleroom [cited 2020 Jan 6]. Available from: https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/peter-wilson/catalogue-id-2668853/lot-1883387
3. Cornwall Artists Index Staff. Marcella Smith [internet]. [cited 2020 Jan 6]. Available from: https://cornwallartists.org/cornwall-artists/marcella-smith