Three women in conversation beside a croquet field (recto); Studies of a ballet dancer, a woman's profile, and a seated woman (verso)

Louisa Starr Canziani British

Not on view

The costumes shown on this sheet suggest the drawing was made around 1865, and an inscription on the verso identifies the artist as Louis Starr. A pioneer in her profession, she won a place at the Royal Academy Schools at sixteen by submitting drawings signed "L. Starr" to disguise her gender. When told that the constitution forbade female students, she asked to see the relevant text which could not be found. As a result, six women were admitted to enable the group to chaperone one another. In 1865 Starr won a silver medal for a copy after Murillo and, in 1867, a gold medal for historical painting. After marrying Enrico Canizani, an Italian cousin, in 1882, the couple lived in England to facilitate her career, with Enrico traveling often to Italy to supervise his refineries and mills.

Three women in conversation beside a croquet field (recto); Studies of a ballet dancer, a woman's profile, and a seated woman (verso), Louisa Starr Canziani (British, London 1845–1909 London), Graphite

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Three women in conversation beside a croquet field (recto); Studies of a ballet dancer, a woman's profile, and a seated woman (verso), Louisa Starr Canziani (British, London 1845–1909 London), Graphite
Three women in conversation beside a croquet field (recto); Studies of a ballet dancer, a woman's profile, and a seated woman (verso), Louisa Starr Canziani (British, London 1845–1909 London), Graphite

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