Richard Ansdell

Liverpool born into a poor family, Richard Ansdell received a brief education and was a fine example of the ‘rags to riches’ opportunities that were to be had with luck and talent during the booming years of the nineteenth century.

After school, he trained as a silhouettist, and later he visited Holland, circus sign-writing.

In 1836, he joined Liverpool Academy, becoming President in 1845. He married Maria Romer in 1845; a happy marriage with eleven children.  By 1840 he had exhibited successfully at London’s Royal Academy.

1840 to 1885 saw him exhibiting annually there and at other prestigious venues. He became a well-known sporting and animal artist; successful in his lifetime and known to Queen Victoria.  He also depicted historical scenes such as the “Fight for the Standard: Battle of Waterloo”, which now hangs in the Great Hall, Edinburgh Castle.

In 1847 he reluctantly left Lancashire for “Lytham House”, Kensington, London named after Lytham St. Annes where he had settled with his growing family. His residence at Lytham St. Annes being “Starr Hills” where there is a commemorative plaque in Ansdell district which was named after him. Many paintings reflect Ansdell’s love of Lytham for example “Rabbiting on Lytham Sand Hills”.

RichardAnsdell

He won prestigious awards and prizes during his career – his paintings were exhibited as far afield as Melbourne, Australia.  Many were so popular they were engraved for mass-production.
Ansdell became a Royal Academician in 1870.  He also built a retreat in the Scottish Highlands in 1870.
He drew inspiration from his Summers in the Highlands.  Many fine paintings result – “ The Herd Lassie” and “The Rescue”  being prime examples.  
“ The Road to Seville” and others are inspired by his visits to Spain in 1856/7.
Richard Ansdell died at his house at Frimley, Surrey and is buried at Brookwood Cemetery, Woking , Surrey.

SarahDeam

Sarah Dean, formerly Kellam (nee Ansdell)
Great, Great Granddaughter to the artist:
This is site is dedicated to another
Richard Ansdell (1919-1980) –
my father – who did so much to perpetuate
the artistic legacy he inherited

RichardAnsdell

Portrait by Sir Arthur Stockdale Cope
(1857-1940)
courtesy of Aberdeen Museums

Richard Ansdell Studio

Sarah Ansdell: Born in 1949: the eldest daughter to Richard Dean Ansdell who was
Born in 1919: the only son to Richard Carrol Ansdell who was
Born in 1889: the eldest son to Carrol Wheeler Ansdell who was
Born in 1859: the youngest son to Richard Ansdell (1815 – 1885)

This website seems a natural progression resulting from my heritage, coupled with my curiosity and a love of Victorian history, to properly spotlight my great, great grandfather and to do him justice in a way that no-one before me has done – it’s my way of saying “thank you” for my birthright; enriching my own life in the process, and hopefully others as well.  I hope you’ll contact me with anything and everything “Richard Ansdell”.

RA_Logo

Links

Samme

Copyright © {2024} – Sarah Dean, Website Design by Bitzandpcs.net

error: Content is protected !!