Walker, Ethel (1861–1951)

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Walker, Ethel (1861–1951)

Scottish painter and sculptor. Name variations: Dame Ethel Walker. Born June 9, 1861, in Edinburgh, Scotland; dau. of Arthur Walker and Isabella Robertson; attended Ridley School of Art, Putney Art School and Westminster School of Art; attended Slade School of Fine Art, 1892–94, studying with Frederick Brown and Walter Sickert.

Began exhibiting portraits at Royal Academy (1898); developed individual style which drew on Impressionists; lived in Chelsea, but also painted seascapes from cottage in Robin Hood's Bay and associated with group of artists there; represented Britain at Venice Biennale (1930, 1932) and at World Trade Fair in Chicago (1939); noted for portraits of young girls, flower paintings, mythical subjects and seascapes, as well as for visionary works such as Nausicaa (1920) and The Zone of Love (1931–33). Created Dame of British Empire (1943).