FRAMED ETHEL CHEESWRIGHT LES AUTELETS SARK

Ethel Sophia Cheeswright (1874-1977)
Les Autelets of Sark
watercolour, signed
14 x 21in (35.5 x 53.5cm).

Ethel Sophia Cheesewright.(1874-1977) was one of Guernsey’s most prolific watercolour artists of the 20th century. Born in London, she moved to Guernsey to study at the Ladies College and from a young age was passionate about painting. After completing formal art training, she moved over to live in Sark, in 1892.

She was most well known for her watercolours depicting the coastline of Sark, which she painted from her studio at Rose Cottage. She was an ardent worker for the Mission For Deep Sea Fishermen and had a great respect for those who risked their lives at sea, which shows in her work. She was a fisherman herself, and loved being out with the boats at work.

During the occupation she was deported to Biberach in Germany, where she continued to paint, even through ill-health and pain, on whatever paper she could find. Visits outside the camp were arranged by a kindly Red Cross nurse. Despite being 70 at the time, she showed great skill in recording the surrounding countryside. Returning to Sark in 1944, she was still painting well into her 80th year, though nearly blind and having to rely on double-lensed spectacles. She passed away on November 30 th 1977 aged 103.