Beatrice Offor (British painter) 1864 - 1920
Beatrice was born to George and Emma Offor on the 21st march 1864 at Peak Hill Villa, Sydenham, Kent. She was one of ten children, amongst them, governesses, music professors, and a brother in the Tea Industry emigrated to Australia where he settled and married. Beatrice’s father lived to well over 100 years old. In 1882 Beatrice attended the Slade School of Art , studying “Fine Art and Fine Art Anatomy”. The Slade is now part of the London University. The school was one of the most important English Art Schools of the late 19th century. Renowned for it curriculum, based on the French system of art education. It was also the first English Art School to give students opportunities to study from the life model. Along the male students, women were also given the opportunity to study art on equal terms. The Slade had been founded by Felix Slade in 1871, a wealthy art collector from Yorkshire. The first professor of art at Slade was Edward Poynter, who was replaced in 1876 by Alphonse Legros until 1892. Beatrice befriended a Mona Bergson, and Annie Horniman (Horniman Tea Heiress). They shared a studio together on Fitzroy Road, London. Many artists lived in this area and were nick named the Fitzrovians.. Mona later married S.L.MacGregor Mathers, and took the name of Moina Mathers. They established the Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn. This influence can be seen in a couple of Beatrice’s paintings in particular, one title the “Crystal Gazer” The other untitled, but showing a dark haired woman in robes holding a golden goblet with a snake wound around the stem. Beatrice had come from a very strict Baptist family, and wonder what kind of reaction her family would have had to this Esoteric Order!!! Beatrice left the Slade in 1885. She continued for many years to have works presented by the Royal Academy. Her portraits were often of brides of that era, she often used her sisters as models. Come the first world war she painted officers from the forces. One exists in my home of an officer with the Royal Engineers, who we believe to be Beatrice’s step son in law, Edward Prestwick. She also completed work for several churches in the Tottenham area, All Hallows Church, where she painted the virgin and child, and St Matthews Ponders End. Her paintings also include various MP’s of the time. J.P. Howard MP and a Sir Ralph Littler. It is also coming to light the prolific art work for the advertising industry. Beatrice married for the first time in 1892 at St Georges, Hanover Square, London, to a William Farran Littler. William was an artist and a sculptor in his own right. A member of the Royal Institute of Oil painters from 1887 to 1892. The only painting shown at the Royal Academy was titled “Beryl” the daughter of F Leslie Jefferson. It has been assumed that William was related to Sir Ralph Littler, but no records exist to prove this. William was the son of a Commercial Traveller, William Henry Littler. William Farran was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1866. His brother Clement was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, and Ralph Gray Littler born in London. William and Beatrice had two sons, Ralph living only ten months and Eric living for only 4 months. Two years later, William was also dead. He died in the Banstead Asylum, Surrey, on the 9th February 1899. On the death certificate it states that he died of “Chronic Brain Disease” It is believed he was buried in Epsom. His two sons were buried in Lewisham, where in later years Beatrice was also to be interred. Beatrice returned to the Kings Road in London, and carried on as an artist. She remarried on the 20th August 1907 to J.P.Beavan, becoming step mother to three children. They lived at 8 Bruce Grove, Tottenham, opposite the Bruce Castle Museum. For some reason on the 8th August 1920, Beatrice commits suicide. Her second attempt. It states in a local newspaper that she was suffering from depression after the death of two of her sons in a car accident. As Beatrice did not have any more natural children, it is unknown where this story came about. This was Beatrice’s second attempt, throwing herself from her bedroom window. Taken to the Prince of Wales Hospital, where her husband was Treasurer, she died of her injuries the following day. In her will, she leaves all monies to be divided amongst her sisters. Only money left to her husband being money from a memorial picture. She does not mention the 39 odd paintings that were obviously left in her studio. When her husband died, 6 years later, these paintings are left to her step son, who bequeaths them to The Bruce Castle Museum, where they remain til this day.
