KELL, Robert

1829 - 1902

Robert Kell was baptised at St Mary’s Church, Woodbridge on 10 February 1829, son of William Kell (1784-7 March 1847), a painter & decorator, and his wife Susanna née Young (1786-1867), Robert was a brother to Charles Kell. In 1851, Robert was a 22-year-old journeyman painter, living at New Street, Woodbridge with his 65-year-old widowed mother Susan, a pauper, and his two siblings Mary Ann 28 and Laura 18. In 1861, a painter & decorator, boarding at a day school at Portland Road, Croydon, kept by Mrs Susan Fry but returned to Ipswich to marry in 1862, Matilda Knights (26 December 1840-1910). In 1871, a 42-year-old house painter, living at 8 St John’s Terrace, Battersea, London with his 30-year-old wife Matilda, who was born at Ipswich and four children, Matilda 7, Robert 5 and Hart 4, all born at Ipswich and a daughter Charlotte 1, born at Battersea. In 1881, a painter & decorator, lodging at Walton-le-Soken, Essex, with his wife and son. Robert Kell, who was deaf and a self-taught artist, sent a number of his works for sale at the Lecture Hall, St John's Street, Woodbridge in July 1865 including an oil 'Trophy of Fruit' and he exhibited at Woodbridge Fine Art Exhibition at New Street Assembly Rooms in 1880, from Ipswich, an oil 'Fruit' also exhibiting at Ipswich Fine Art Club in 1883 from 169 Norwich Road, Ipswich an oil, ‘Herrings &c’, the painting of fish seems to have gone hand in hand with his brother. In 1891, a 61-year-old ‘fruit painter oils, artist’ of 3 Austin Street, Ipswich with his 50-year-old wife Matilda and two of his sons. In 1901, Robert Kell was an artist in colours at 45 Austin Street, Ipswich where he died in 1902, aged 72 and his wife followed in 1910, aged 69.

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Works by This Artist