Nellie Whichelo born Mary Eleanor Whichelo (6 July, 1862 – 12 July, 1959) was the British head designer of the Royal School of Art Needlework that was renamed the

Royal School of Needlework The Royal School of Needlework (RSN) is a hand embroidery school in the United Kingdom, founded in 1872 and based at Hampton Court Palace since 1987. History The RSN began as the School of Art Needlework in 1872, founded by Lady Victoria Welby ...

. She retired after more than sixty years in 1939.

Life

Whichelo was born in Stockwell, London. Her parents were Louise (born Graham) and Henry Mayle Whichelo. Her father was an artist who taught people to draw and his father (with the same name) had also been an artist left, Embroidery-The-Pomegranate designed by Nellie Whichelo She joined the Royal School of Art Needlework with her sister Georgiana in 1879 when Louisa Anne Wade was the leading figure. She exhibited in the Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society's 2nd exhibition at

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in 1889 and in their third exhibition the following year. In 1900 the Royal School exhibited work at the Exposition Universelle where Sir

Edwin Lutyens Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens ( ; 29 March 1869 – 1 January 1944) was an English architect known for imaginatively adapting traditional architectural styles to the requirements of his era. He designed many English country houses, war memori ...

had designed a mock Tudor British Royal Pavilion. Whichelo's designs for the furnishings included hangings that were over 12 by 13 feet. The textiles had taken 56 ladies, 8 weeks to embroider and they won a gold medal. She led the Royal School when new monarchs were being crowned. She and the school helped with the work required for the coronations of Edward VII, George V, and George VI. In 1922 the Royal School of Art Needlework was renamed to be the Royal School of Needlework. She retired in 1939 after 62 years at the Royal School. It is said that her resignation was in protest at the blackout restrictions imposed as a result of war breaking out with Germany. Whichelo died in hospital in 1959 in London's Battersea.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Whichelo, Nellie 1862 births 1959 deaths People from Stockwell Arts and Crafts movement artists Embroidery designers British textile designers