Richard Ansdell (1815 – 1885) was born in Liverpool, became a Royal Academician, was admired for his work by Queen Victoria, and has strong North West connections.
The Exhibition is open to the public, free of charge, from Friday June 10 – Sat July 30 .10 a.m. -6 p.m. Mon-Wed 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Thurs –Sat 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sundays.
In 1836 Ansdell joined Liverpool Academy, becoming president in 1845.
1840 – 1885 saw him exhibiting annually at the Royal Academy and the British Institution. He painted a wide variety of sporting, animal and romantic narrative subjects. He was particularly noted for his depiction of many breeds of dogs.
He painted at Lytham and St Annes in the early 1850’s and had a house built – “Starr Hills” -with uninterrupted views of the sandhills. This is now recognized with a commemorative plaque from Lytham St Annes Civic Society. His name was later given to this area of the town.
When he moved to St Albans Grove, Kensington in London, he called his home “Lytham House.” This house is no longer there it is now part of Richmond University (The American International University in London) but there is aBlue Plaque here, commemorating this “eminent Victorian painter.” Many artists resided in this area and Ansdell Street is just around the corner.
There is also a Booths connection to the artist. John Booth, son of E.H. Booth, who founded the local grocery business, presented to St Annes Town Council in 1925 a painting by Richard Ansdell, R A entitled “ The Herd Lassie”, 1876. It was the start of the Lytham St Annes Art Collection of paintings and works of art which now has a growing Friends group to make people more aware of this collection and arrange regular public displays.