Fanny Eliza Arden (née Godfrey; c. 1859 – 13 June 1955) was a New Zealand artist.

Fanny Arden
Born
Fanny Eliza Godfrey

circa 1859
Died13 June 1955(1955-06-13) (aged 95–96)
Resting placeHurdon Cemetery, New Plymouth, New Zealand
SpouseFrancis Hamar Arden
ChildrenHenry Neville, Phyllis Godfrey, Frances Jean

Biography edit

Fanny Eliza Arden was born circa. 1859 to Henry Godfrey of Woodbourne, who died when she was a teenager.[1] She then became the second wife of New Zealand artist, Francis Hamar Arden on 7 September 1887.[1] Together they had three children: Captain Henry Neville (5 January 1889 – 4 October 1917),[2] Phyllis Godfrey (1892) and Frances Jean (1895).[3] Her husband died by 19 December 1899.[4][5] Her eldest child was killed in action at the Battle of Broodseinde during the First World War.[2]

She was taught to paint by her husband, and many of her paintings were donated to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.[6][7] Several of her paintings now are in Puke Ariki[3] and the Auckland Art Gallery.[8][6][7] In January 2020, her watercolour, Mt Egmont, sold for NZ$425 at Dunbar Sloane Wellington.[9]

Arden died on 13 June 1955.[3] She was buried at Hurdon Cemetery in New Plymouth.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Marriage | Arden—Godfrey". Marlborough Daily Times. Vol. X, no. 139. 22 September 1887. p. 2.
  2. ^ a b Declerck, Freddy. "Neville Henry Arden". New Zealand War Graves Project. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Fanny Eliza Arden". Puke Ariki Collection Online. New Plymouth. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Local and General". Taranaki Daily News. Vol. XXXXII, no. 46. 26 February 1900. p. 2.
  5. ^ "Arden, Francis Hamer". New Plymouth District Council. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  6. ^ a b Platts, Una (1980). "Nineteenth Century New Zealand Artists: A Guide & Handbook". New Zealand Electronic Text Collection. p. 23. Retrieved 4 February 2023 – via Victoria University of Wellington.
  7. ^ a b Price, Vicki (1 April 2008). "Captured on Canvas". Taranaki Daily News – via pressreader.
  8. ^ "F E Arden". Auckland Art Gallery. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  9. ^ Arden, Fanny (30 January 2020). "Mt Egmont". MutualArt. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Arden, Fanny Eliza". New Plymouth District Council. Retrieved 4 February 2023.

External links edit