Ruth Sandys
(1880-1941)

E is for Elephant, c1920

watercolour, ink and typed collage
typwriten inscription ‘Empty/ Elephant/ Eating/ Everything/ Edible/ Eggs/ Etc./ Even/ Eele’

19.5 x 14.5 cm.
(framed 31.5 x 27 cm.)
in a period frame

Ruth Sandys (1880-1941) was born in Kensington, London, one of the seven daughters and three sons of the Pre-Raphaelite painter, Frederick Sandys (1829-1904) and the actress Mary Jones (1845-1920). Jones was also known by her stage name of Miss Clive and was a regular muse to Frederick (see P.7-1933). Several of the children were trained in artistic pursuits by their father, with the miniaturist Winifred Sandys (1875-1944) perhaps becoming the most well-known. Ruth designed the logo and a set of posters for the shoe firm, Lilley and Skinner Ltd., between 1925 and 1930 (see E.491 to E.499-1973 for designs). She also designed a small number of posters for the London Underground in 1925. Biography courtesy of the V&A Museum, London.