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Amelia Margaret Mildred Peel daughter of John Peel, born 26 October 1856 London Ontario, died 29 Feb. 1920 Laguna Beach, California as Lady Ross.
In order to get an identity people often refer to another successful person in their families. Mildred as she was called was one such person. Her brother was another thing. His name was Paul Peel an early Canadian painter who died quite early in his career. His painting reproductions are in every print shop in Canada with pleasant contents. "The Tired Model", is one such work.
While I was researching in Philadelphia in 1975 I found both of these people enrolled in the Fine Art Academy 1877-78. Teacher Christian Schussele (1824-79) taught human figure (undraped) assisted by Prof. Kirby -Bailly for perspective and modeling. For Oct. & Nov. Weekly evening classes. Antique Classes Oct. March 1878. where they took painting and sculpting sessions.
I found that relatives lived at 2525 North Front St. Richmond district that is where they lived while taking classes.
When I tried to get information on the London Ontario family I drew a blank and information fragmented. I did learn that the father was a stone carver but I have no record of what he executed.
Interestingly enough just a few years ago I learned that some works in sculpting were at The Cataraqui cemetery in Kingston. The Four Seasons in metal are still in place looking ever so grand. Robert Peel is credited doing them but that too is an almost secret.
According to the history of the cemetery other works similar in design were purchased from an American firm. I will look into this part of my search.
She would have done studies under the same artists as F.A.T. Dunbar who is listed as attending classes in 1876. This makes it hard for me to identify their works for they all copied the same technique when doing a commission. The hair was the same, the setting of the eyes and all over treatment.
As we go through Canadian history we learn about the rival artists trying to gain all the works possible as it was being set up by Premier Hardy in 1896-99 and Mr. Ross.
It had been the plan of commemorating "Influential people" by having memorial busts executed by local artists and Mildred Peel became the favourite choice by George Ross the Education Minister and later Premier of Ontario. After leaving politics he married (Mildred) in 1907. Ross was most influential in acquiring art for the Normal School Collection at the Provincial museum that was located at St. James Square in Toronto.
The Rev. E. Ryerson and Sir John Beverly Robinson did a lot in acquiring works and reproductions from the continent. These reproductions went to make up what became the Provincial Museum Collection. Eight Eng. Sculpture, 33 Greek, 80 busts of Romans, 80 Eng. Port busts and by 1867 Assyrian & Egypt objects of art and taste.
It is funny to find "Venus de Milo as being purchased in 1856.
As far back as 1834 we get news of First (and only) Society of Artists and amateurs of Toronto. 196 works and 18 artists.
The Ontario Society of Artists held their first show April 1873 at the King Edward hotel, Toronto.
This task went on into the early 1900's with portraits being done in oils by such prominate artists as J. L.W. Forester, G. A. Reid, C.W. Keffries. G.T. Berthon.
The School of Art opened Oct. 10, 1882 to be incorporated in 1912 as the Ontario College of Art and is still going under that name.
I have on record of the effort to start sculpting classes in Toronto but for lack of students and the cost it got turned down much to the disappointment of both artists who had submitted their bids. F.A.T. Dunbar got discouraged and moved to the U.S.A.
The political and artistic community got at odds with what was going to be done and bought for the decoration of the halls of the museum etc. I am not interested in what went on for it proved a disaster for Civil Art group and government alike. You can read it in The Ontario Collection published in 1984.
Hamilton MacCarthy moved too but only to Ottawa where he was close to his likely commissions to do busts of prominate people. Other artists moved to other countries.
Miss Peel was not only doing busts for the Normal School collection, The Provincial Museum but paintings of members of Government. The list is below so you can see for yourself what she did during her life.
BUSTS AND PORTRAITS
The Honorable G. William Allen bust 1888
Archbishop John Joseph Lynch bust 1888
Laura Secord bust 1901
Provost Thomas Clark Street Macklem bust 1902
Father John Reed Teefy bust 1902
The Hon. Sir Matthew Crooks Cameron, painting 1903
The Hon James George Currie, painting 1903
Francis Eugene Alfred Evantuel, painting 1903
The Hon. Rupert Mearse Wells, painting 1903
The Hon. William Douglas Balfour, painting 1904
Most of these works are in the Ontario Collection and published in their book in 1984.
Published by the Ontario Heritage Foundation by Fitzhenry & Whiteside
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