art teacher, ran a School of Art at Launceston from at least 1876, when he offered to teach drawing and later mineralogy and chemistry at the Launceston Mechanics Institute for 5 shillings a month if he could use the institute rooms for free. In 1885 M. Maurice organised a large, public art exhibition, primarily of his pupils’ work, reviewed in the Examiner of 18 December 1885. Special praise was given to 'Misses Barnard, Butler, Hobkirk, Cocker and Allison’, while 'striking exhibits’ of objects in the round in crayons by Mrs and Miss Greig showed 'that their teacher does not pin his entire faith to copies’. Many works were pseudonymous (e.g. 'Van Diemonea’, 'Tasma’ and 'Excelsior’) and the pupils’ collection ended with 'some well-painted panels and plaques’ by Miss Murray and Miss Horne. Class H – drawings in pencil and crayons included amateur copies (perhaps also by pupils), e.g. Miss M.J. Nicholson showed 'crayon study of Chester Castle and Manchester School of Art copies’ and Miss A. Neale of Ross a 'crayon study – Tarbert Castle’. 'Amongst artists and professionals’ Messrs Beauchamp, Joshua Higgs, Misses Sherwin and Tomes hold the palm. Madame Mouchette showed a 'portrait in oils from nature’ and Rev. Canon Brownrigg showed Bass Rock . There were also some architectural exhibits, including designs. The exhibition was evidently a success, being opened two days longer than intended.
This entry is a stub. You can help DAAO by submitting a biography.
- Writers:
- Staff Writer
- Date written:
- 1999
- Last updated:
- 2011
