Apollonia Kickius

Apollonia Kickius (1669 -1695) (or Kickieus or Kickeus) was a painter working in Scotland in the 17th century. She is one of only three women painters known to be working in Scotland prior to 1700 and is the sole woman in Scotland documented as working in the building trades from the 17th to mid 19th century.[1][2]

Early life

Apollonia Kickius may have been born in London, England but likely lived in Scotland from the age of 8. Her parents were the artist Edward Kickius (thought to be German or Dutch and also known as Everhardus Kickius or Everard Kick) and Apollonia Hardij of The Hague. Edward Kickius was working in London in the late 1660s and in Scotland from 1677. The family lived in the Canongate, Edinburgh.[1] Apollonia Kickius seems to have stayed in Scotland while her father left Edinburgh to return to England by 1685 and her mother joined him in London in 1687.[3]

Career

In 1685 Kickius signed a receipt for money owing to her father for his painting work at Edinburgh Castle. This would indicate involvement in her father's business. She worked as a painter at Castle Lyon (now known as Castle Huntly) for the 1st Earl of Strathmore (for whom Mrs Morris, an English house painter, also worked).[1][4] Kickius was probably a mural painter.[2]

Apted and Hannabuss' biographical inventory of painters in Scotland prior to 1700 documents only three women amongst many men: Apollonia Kickius, Esther Inglis and 'Mrs Morris'.[1] Kickius is the only woman working in Scotland in Hewlings' list of women working in the building trades from 1600 to 1850.[2][5]

Death

Kickius died on 13 September 1695. Her tombstone in Longforgan Church (not far from Castle Lyon) notes her skill as a painter and that she was married:[1][6]

Interred lyes under this stone
The comely virtuous Apollone
Kickieus, a rare yea matchless one.
Exemplar for a godly life,
A constant modest loving wife.
In paintrie strange who shew more skill
Than ere Apelles could, yet still,
Tho fam'd & prais'd much, most humble.
The heavens bereav'd us of this bliss,
Now great's her gain, ah sad's our loss.

References
  1. Apted, Michael R; Hannabuss, Susan (1978). Painters in Scotland 1301-1700: a biographical dictionary. Edinburgh: The Edina Press Ltd. pp. 55–56, 67.
  2. Baker, Dr Nina (2005). "Who paints the house? Scotswomen as Housepainters and Decorators from 1820" (PDF). Women's History Network Conference: Women, Art and Culture 2005: 7 – via Google Scholar.
  3. Apted, Michael R; Hannabuss, Susan (1978). Painters in Scotland 1301-1700: a biographical dictionary. Edinburgh: The Edina Press Ltd. p. 57.
  4. Dunbar, J.G. (1976). "Organisation of the Building Industry in Scotland During the 17th Century". Building Construction in Scotland: some historical and regional aspects. Edinburgh; Dundee: Scottish Vernacular Buildings Working Group. p. 11. ISBN 0-9505084-0-3.
  5. Hewlings, Richard (2000). "Women in the building trades 1600-1850: a preliminary list". The Georgian Group Journal. 10.
  6. Dunbar, J.G. (8 August 1974). "Lowlanders in the Highlands: Dutch Craftsmen in Restoration Scotland". Country Life. 156: 376.
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