SMITH, Maria Isabella

1880 - 1979

As Maria Isabella Gross, she was born at Gonville Place, Cambridge on 18 August 1880 and baptised at St Barnabas, Cambridge on 19 September 1880, daughter of Edward John Gross (1844-30 August 1923) of Alderton, Suffolk, bursar of Caius College, Cambridge and his first wife Maria Isabella Chance (1851-31 May 1886), eldest daughter of Edward Chance, J.P., who married at Priory Church, Great Malvern, Worcestershire on 13 September 1877, Edward married secondly on 24 September 1897, Custance Bertha King. Young Maria married at Little St Mary's Church, Cambridge on 29 August 1912, Rupert Hamblin Smith (1872-19 August 1936) of Cambridge, who died at Bromeswell, Woodbridge, Suffolk. Maria was a member of the Ipswich Fine Art Club 1919-1948 and exhibited from 'Hamblin', 7 Botolph Lane, Cambridge in 1927, four oil paintings 'Poachers', 'Little St Mary's Lane, Cambridge', 'Nirvana' and 'The Wine List', two in 1932 'On the Heath' and 'The Edge of the Wood', two watercolours in 1933 'Fir Trees' and 'The Holly Tree' and three in 1934 'The Wood', 'Lost' and 'Martlesham Red Lion' and was a regular annual exhibitor. She was also a member of the Cambridge Drawing Society from 1902, where she gave lessons, and did a series of six 'Master' portraits housed at Peterhouse, University of Cambridge. She also exhibited at Royal Birmingham Society of Artists; Walker Art Gallery; London Salon; Royal Academy and the Society of Women Artists. In 1939, a widow, still living at 7 Botolph Lane, Cambridge and as Maria Isabella Hamblin Smith, she died at 7 Botolphs Lane, Cambridge on 4 November 1979.

Royal Academy Exhibits

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Works by This Artist