Beauty of the Fairy

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well behold this . . . isn't she the most beautiful fairy you have seen?

Sophie Gengembre Anderson 1823-1903

Children born of fairy stock
Never need for shirt or frock,
Never want for food or fire,
Always get their hearts desire,
Jingle pockets full of gold,
Marry when they're seven years old.

Every fairy child may keep
Two strong ponies and ten sheep,
All have houses each his own,
Built of brick or granite stone,
They live on cherries, they run wild,
I'd love to be a fairy's child.

AUTHOR: Robert Graves

I was so taken with this painting, I decided to research the artist who painted her.

"Sophie Gengembre Anderson was born in Paris in 1823, the daughter of a Parisian architect and an English mother. She was largely self-taught, but briefly studied portraiture with Charles de Steuben in Paris in 1843.

At the outbreak of the 1848 Revolution, she moved with her family to America, settling in Cincinnati where she pursued portrait painting. She married the British artist, Walter Anderson and returned to England in 1854. She exhibited at the Royal Academy during 1855.

Anderson's technique was excellent and she was quite adept at depicting fabrics and drapery with outstanding light effects.

In 1860 the couple visited Pennsylvania and exhibited at the National Academy, in the early 1870's she moved to Capri because of ill-health. Eventually she returned to England and lived in Falmouth. Sophie died in 1903."

Above are two more of her paintings and although they are very beautiful, I still think the first portrait I showed you is the fairest of all.

Hugs,

X