Self-portrait (ca. 1925) by Ethel Walker
Ethel Walker (1961-1951) was a Scottish painter of portraits, flower-pieces, sea-pieces and still lifes. In 1880, she met fellow artist Clara Christian (1868-1906), and for a time the two were living, working and studying together. In 1938, Ethel was made a CBE and in 1943 she became a Dame. Now, she is acknowledged as a lesbian artist, a fact that critics have noted is boldly apparent in her preference for women sitters and female nudes. She has left us a fine collection of intimate and moving portraits of women.