Lotz House Adds Painting by Matilda Lotz to Collection
The Historic Lotz House Civil War Museum has unveiled an original oil painting created by a young Matilda Lotz in 1880 at the age of 22. The painting titled, “The Donkey,” reflects Matilda’s life of perseverance and journey.
Matilda Lotz was just a young child during the Civil War’s Battle of Franklin when she and her family willingly sought refuge in the Carter’s basement, which was located just 110 steps from their home. The offer to stay in the neighbor’s basement provided better security from gunfire and cannon blasts versus the Lotz wooden home. It was during her disruptive childhood that Matilda, at the tender age of 6, would begin drawing sketches of animals and childish figures.
Throughout her life, Matilda Lotz had been recognized for her designs and paintings. In the late 1800s, Matilda Lotz won several gold medals and received honorable mention for her work exhibited at the Paris Salon. Matilda was also awarded two gold medals by the Paris Academy of Painting, and was the first woman ever to be honored by the Academy.
In her latter years, Matilda Lotz was commissioned to paint the portrait of George Hearst, father of William Randolph Hearst and former California Gov. Leland Stanford, the founder of Stanford University. To this day, her paintings hang in the Hearst Castle, and Stanford University, respectfully.
Matilda Lotz’s paintings have transformed her into an internationally award-winning and renowned painter. “The Donkey” was unveiled during the Lotz House Appraisal Fair held by Executive Director of the Lotz House, J.T. Thompson and Curator Sue Armstrong Thompson. Painted by Matilda in 1880, she was only 22 at the time, the painting is one of the earliest known painting by her that still exists.
Read entire article at Williamson Herald (TN)
Matilda Lotz was just a young child during the Civil War’s Battle of Franklin when she and her family willingly sought refuge in the Carter’s basement, which was located just 110 steps from their home. The offer to stay in the neighbor’s basement provided better security from gunfire and cannon blasts versus the Lotz wooden home. It was during her disruptive childhood that Matilda, at the tender age of 6, would begin drawing sketches of animals and childish figures.
Throughout her life, Matilda Lotz had been recognized for her designs and paintings. In the late 1800s, Matilda Lotz won several gold medals and received honorable mention for her work exhibited at the Paris Salon. Matilda was also awarded two gold medals by the Paris Academy of Painting, and was the first woman ever to be honored by the Academy.
In her latter years, Matilda Lotz was commissioned to paint the portrait of George Hearst, father of William Randolph Hearst and former California Gov. Leland Stanford, the founder of Stanford University. To this day, her paintings hang in the Hearst Castle, and Stanford University, respectfully.
Matilda Lotz’s paintings have transformed her into an internationally award-winning and renowned painter. “The Donkey” was unveiled during the Lotz House Appraisal Fair held by Executive Director of the Lotz House, J.T. Thompson and Curator Sue Armstrong Thompson. Painted by Matilda in 1880, she was only 22 at the time, the painting is one of the earliest known painting by her that still exists.