Beatrice M Christy
Beatrice M Christy was a talented wood engraver, whose artwork is in the collection of the Ashwell Museum, and whose name links with the history of the village.
She exhibited 5 pictures at the Royal Academy between 1937 – 39. No mean feat!
She also exhibited at The Chicago Arts Institute in 1939, where her work rubbed shoulders with those of British greats such as Eric Gill and Gertrude Hermes.
She illustrated 2 books ‘Unusual Savouries’ and ‘A Medley of Recipes’, both written by Dorothy Allhusen who was the daughter of Lady Jeune, later Baroness St Hellier, these were published in 1935 and 1936.
Work held by the British Museum
An example of her work is even held by the British Museum, yet little is known of this amazing artists, just an address held by the RA of 77 Roxborough Park, Harrow on the Hill.
She was born in Richmond in 28th April 1910 with a middle name of Mary, (Richmond S. vol 2n pg531) and died in Reading, December 2003 (Reading reg no. c12b entry 208).
I have created this page because I would love to know more of this amazing artist’s story, her connections with the village and why she has managed to go unnoticed. It would also be nice to bring some more of her work to her kin and the world at large.
The full Ashwell Museum collection of her work can be found at www.catalogue.ashwellmuseum.org.uk use the advance search keyword christy and description contains drawing
Thanks to Peter and Tony and Kevin Bean for some new info already
Father born in Ashwell
Beatrice was the daughter of Charles Alexander Christy, who was born in the Ashwell in 1877, son of the Postmaster/ grocer. He moved to Paddington where he married Catherine Fraser in 1903 and Beatrice had an older Brother, Alexander, born in Fulham in 1905.
The family moved to Richmond where, in the 1911 census, Charles is shown as a buyer of antique furniture. He also worked for Whiteleys, London’s first department store.
I would love to know where she trained, any stories about her life and the icing on the cake would be a photograph of the lady herself.
A biography and pictures of her can be found at Beatrice Mary Christy, a biography
Comments about this page
We have no knowledge of Beatrix painting in oils or signing her name as Bea so I am afraid there seems to be no connection between your painting and this Beatrix. Also her familiar name was Trixie and people do not seem to have called her Bea. Thanks for your enquiry.
i recently found a painting of flowers…appears to be oil in st paul, mn signed by bea christy. any relation?
Hi I am currently researching my family history. My grandmother was Gertrude Susie Christy, daughter of Abraham Hart Christy, sister of Charles Alexander and aunt of Beatrice Ellen Christy. I inherited from my parents a wood engraving of White Lodge Richmond Park. I would love to know more about her, see photos, and also hear more about Charles. I also inherited some antique furniture that came from Charles, and he lent my dad money to buy his first car. It would be great to be in contact with Simon.
Sorry the search did not work for you. It does work but it is not very intuitive so I have made a ‘Collection’ in the catalogue which relates to Beatrice’s work. Hope this makes it easy for you.
Hello Simon, what a nice artist, very sorry the search system doesn’t work (incomprehensible)
Email sent looking forward to being able to add some more information on this great artist
I am the nephew of Beatrice Christy and looked after her affairs in her last years. I have a portfolio of her work and many photographs of her and can give a lot of information on her life. I had some happy holidays with my grandfather Charles Christy when he lived at Elbrook House, Ashwell in the the late 1940s. If Etchings Plus contacts me I will be pleased to discuss her life and work.
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