Persis Kirmse Explained

Elizabeth Persis Esperance Kirmse
Birth Date: 1884
Birth Place:Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Death Place:Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom
Nationality:British
Field:Painting

Elizabeth Persis Esperance Kirmse (1884, Bournemouth  - 18 May 1955, Tunbridge Wells)[1] was a British artist and illustrator known for her works of cats and dogs.[2]

She was the daughter of Richard and Lea Kirmse, respectively of German and Swiss origin, the proprietors of a private school in Hampshire. She produced oil paintings, works in pastels, and etchings of pets, often as commissions, and illustrated books, postcards, and calendars.

She produced illustrated versions of scenes from Shakespeare using animal characters, including Shakespeare at the Kennels (1934), Shakespeare with the Pets (1935), Shakespeare at the Zoo (1936) and Shakespeare and the Birds (1938). Her illustrations were also used in books by Frances Pitt and E.V. Lucas. Her work was exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1916.

Her sister, Marguerite Kirmse (1885–1954), was also an artist, specialising in etchings of dogs.

Published works

Author and illustrator
Illustrator

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40543/page/4281/data.pdf London Gazette 22 July 1955
  2. http://issuu.com/jammdesign/docs/dw_5_6.02.2014_low_res/26 Dominic Winter. British & Continental Paintings and Watercolors - Wednesday 5 February 2014.