Elizabeth Sorrell

Elizabeth Sorrell, née Tanner (1916–1991) was a British water-colour painter. Her work was a combination of technique with attention to detail, whether she was observing the natural world, or the textural quality of lace, silk, porcelain. “In earlier years, I painted a good deal outdoors, but as circumstances compelled me to be indoors more than out, I have more recently found my self evolving a sort of animated still-life picture”. She developed Rheumatoid arthritis in her late 40s, but managed to carry on working to the highest standard until the very end of her life using the finest 000 brushes which she had to hold between her thumb and second finger. In 1979 John Stanton Ward RA wrote of her:

"When she was at the Royal College of Art, Elizabeth Sorrell sought out Professor Tristram, the greatest authority on medieval art, and persuaded him to let her spend most of her time in the mural painting department. Here she came across and was encouraged by Paul Nash. One might speculate whether the Tristram contact was the beginning of her interest in medieval art, since she resolutely claims to be of the English School of Watercolourists. And this she sees as going back to medieval times, to the illuminated manuscripts of the 12th and 13th Centuries. For some time now it has been clear that she is one of the finest and most original watercolourists working today".