Ellen Ladell

British, (1853-1912)
Still Life of Fruit, Casket & Ewer
Oil on canvas, signed

A beautifully painted still life of fruit with a casket and ewer by Ellen Ladell. Grapes are shown draped over the carved casket whilst plums and a peach rest at the front of a marble topped table. Behind, stands a brown stoneware ewer with a metal lid.

Ellen Ladell was born Ellen Maria Levett in Ipswich in 1853 to George and Maria Levett. Her father was a foundry smith and the family lived at 30 Borough Road in Ipswich. She initially worked as a Milliner around 1871 but sought artistic training during her spare time. It is at this point she met and became a pupil of the still life painter Edward Ladell (1821-1886), who at that time was a widower.

Ellen married Edward in Great Yarmouth on 21 October, 1878. The couple initially moved to Torquay where they had their son Kenwyn in 1880, but then decided to settle in Exeter, living at 99 Sidwell Street and setting up a studio at 20 Queen Street. Edward’s influence can been seen in her work as their styles and subject matter share some similarities. However, a number of Ellen’s paintings also included taxidermy under glass. In addition, Ellen signed her name in full whilst Edward used his EL monogram. Considering they lived and worked together, it is highly likely that they would have collaborated on some of their paintings.  Ellen began exhibiting from 1883 and became a member and exhibitor at the Ipswich Art Club from 1884-1890.

Edward died in 1886 and on 28 April, 1889 Ellen married George Turner White, a divisional Superintendent of South West Railways in Exeter. They lived at Prospect Park, Exeter. She gave birth to their daughter Marguerite Ladell White in 1894 and their other daughter Violet was born in Clapham, Jersey in 1897. George passed away in 1899 and Ellen continued living in Devon at Bridestowe for a number of years. Sometime after 1901 she moved back to Ipswich where she died on 11 July, 1912. She was buried at the Old Municipal Cemetery in Ipswich. Examples of her work can be found at the Bristol Museum and Colchester Museum.

Presentation: The painting is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition.
Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having just been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.

© Benton Fine Art

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This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance