Eliza Anne Leslie-Melville, or Melville, (nee Smallbone; 17 March 1829 - July 1919) was a British painter in oils of genre and portraits. She became known as a painter in 1854 and continued to paint until 1900. She is celebrated for her portrait Queen Victoria.
Eliza Anne Melville, or Leslie-Melville, (née Smallbone) was born on 17 March 1829 in Brighton, Sussex, England.àShe was daughter to James Smallbone and Frances Barrow.ÃÂ
She married Alexander Melville, a painter, in 1855. During the years 1864-1874 they lived at No.34 Fitsroy Square, London.ÃÂ In 1890 they returned to Fitsroy Square, No. 6, where they lived until her husband died in 1892. After the death of her husband she moved to 49 Portsdown Road, Paddington and began to use the name Leslie-Melville.ÃÂ They had three daughters.ÃÂ Two of which became painters. ÃÂ
She wrote a book, $2000 Reward, which was published in 1871. By this time her husband had become deaf. à<blockquote>Mrs. Alexander Melville, who enjoys some considerable reputation as a painter, has brought out for this holiday season a children's book - Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper</blockquote>She wrote in the preface why, as an artist, she ventures âÂÂto appear before the public as an authoressâÂÂ.ààHer book was inspired by a young boy she noticed while walking on the street. She approached his mother and the rest of his family who âÂÂfrom the character of the whole,â it occurred to her âÂÂwould make a good subject for a pictureâÂÂ.àShe asked the mother to bring her children and visit her.àThe mother and her children visited and Melville was âÂÂmore than ever pleased with the romantic little boyâ who subsequently often sat for her.àMelville became âÂÂmuch attachedâ to her âÂÂlittle friendâ who later fell ill and, with Melville at his bedside, died.àThe story written in the book was adjusted to give a happier ending.
At the end of the book Melville invited readers who may be interested in art to visit her studio in Fitsroy Square.àShe advertised she was âÂÂvery successful in painting posthumous portraitsâÂÂ. This advert is followed by several pages of press reviews relating to her paintings, illustrations and portraits.
She died, aged 90, in Brentford and was buried on 29 July 1919 on the western side of Highgate Cemetery.
She was an oil painter of genre and portraits. She became known as a painter in 1854 and continued to paint until 1900. One of her most celebrated works is a portrait, Queen Victoria, which she gifted to the Royal United Services Institute, "RUSI", in 1909.àIt is one of three paintings by women in the RUSI collection.<blockquote>This portrait of Queen Victoria is important because of her [Queen Victoria's] patronage and because itâÂÂs painted by a woman. â Jacqui Grainger, RUSI</blockquote>She exhibited in the principal galleries during the years 1854âÂÂ1868. At first, 1854âÂÂ1855, her speciality was landscapes and she exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Society of British Artists and twice at the British Institution under the name Smallbone. She then continued to exhibit at the Royal Academy until 1868 under the name Melville.
During the mid-1860s, Melville and her husband jointly painted âÂÂone of the largest works everâÂÂ: Presentation of the Freedom of the City to the Prince of Wales.àA piece depicting Albert Edward, Prince of Wales taking up the Freedom of the City of London, on 8 June 1863.àIn 1866 The Morning Post reported that the painting was âÂÂprogressing rapidly under the hands of the skilful artists, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Melville, who are now daily engaged on the work at Guildhall.â When completed, The Morning Post reported the painting had "been viewed and very greatly admired by the Queen", and "her Majesty the Queen of Prussia" and had "been taken to Windsor Castle". The painting embodied more than 450 portraits and took five years to complete. It was exhibited publicly in July 1868.àHowever, the Corporation of London declined to purchase it and awarded 300 guineas as recompense. In 1872 the Melvilles commenced proceedings to recover ã4,950 for the picture.àThe following year the case of Melville v. Corporation of London went to court.àThe Melvilles were unsuccessful.àIt was ruled there was no contract between the parties.
In 1870 she was noted as âÂÂa lady artist of rising celebrityâÂÂ.àShe held an exhibition at her home of paintings and illustrative passages of Scripture relating to the Spiritual World. The Exmouth Journal noted "They merit public notice on account of the originality of conception."
Despite the previous lawsuit her association with royalty continued.àIn 1877 several works that were exhibited by command to the Queen at Windsor Castle were âÂÂon view at Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Melville Art Exhibitionâ at Portman Square. And in 1880 she âÂÂhad the honour of submitting to Her Majesty's inspection at Windsor Castle a picture painted by herâÂÂ.
In 1885 an exhibit of âÂÂPictures by Alexander Melville and Eliza A. MelvilleâÂÂ, a collection of studies and paintings, was held at the recently opened McQueen's Gallery, Tottenham Court Road.àIn the same year Melville, whose works were 'not unknown in AlnwickâÂÂ, showed, together with works by her husband, at an exhibition in Alnwick, Northumberland.