Welsh Journals

THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF WOMEN ARTISTS: LILY WHAITE AND THE GWYNEDD LADIES' ART SOCIETY The Clarence Whaite archive was donated to the National Library of Wales in August 1998 by Mr David Mortimer-Jones, Whaite's great- grandson.1 The papers, dating from the early nineteenth century to his death in 1912, consist mainly of personal manuscripts of Clarence Whaite, or papers acquired by him. They comprise correspondence, bills and vouchers, letter books and diaries, press cuttings, exhibition catalogues and other related printed material, reflecting his work as an artist and as President of both the Royal Cambrian Academy and the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts, together with a number of sketches and photographs. The 'acquired' papers within the collection are those of the Whaite family of Manchester, presumably inherited by Clarence following the death of his father, Henry Whaite in 1869. During the course of my sorting it soon became clear that the papers, 1876- 1913, of Lily Whaite, comprising personal correspondence, and papers relating to the Gwynedd Ladies' Art Society, formed a fascinating and important part of the collection. These papers give us an insight into the life and work of many of the artists of the late nineteenth century, both male and female, but as Lily Whaite's papers are linked to her father's archive, a brief account of Clarence Whaite's early years may be useful. Henry Clarence Whaite was born in Bridge Street, Manchester in 1828, the son of Henry Whaite and Sarah Slater.3 His father, himself an art lover, owned a Fine Art Gallery, well known for its gilt framing business, and fine art exhibitions.4 After attending several private schools, the young Clarence became a scholar at the Manchester Grammar School, where he received the greater part of his education.5 He very early displayed a taste for drawing and painting, and decided on art as a profession, with the approval of his father, who obviously had the means and the inclination to encourage him. Consequently, Clarence Whaite became a student at the Manchester School of Design where he remained for several years before proceeding to London, and, with a view to becoming a decorative painter, attended Leigh's celebrated school in Newman Street. He also enrolled as a student at the art school at Somerset House and at the Royal Academy Schools.7 A visit to Switzerland in the 1840s, where the grandeur of the Alps greatly impressed Whaite, awoke in him the love of mountain scenery which became so characteristic of his work.8 It was this love of the sublime and beautiful in nature which led Whaite to Wales in 1851. He eventually made his