MARGARET OLROG STODDART (1865-1934)
Margaret Stoddart was born in Stoddart’s Cottage, on the 3rd October, 1865. She was the second daughter of Mark Pringle Stoddart and Anna Schjott, the daughter of a Norwegian clergyman.
At the age of 11, her parents took the family to her fathers home town of Edinburgh. It was here in Scotland, that Margaret with her elder sister and younger brother were formally educated, and she received her first lessons in drawing.
By 1879 the Stoddarts moved back to Christchurch to live in Lismore Lodge, Fendalton. Then at the age of 17 Margaret enrolled at the Canterbury College School of Art, Christchurch, with her three sisters to study art . It was during this time that her interest in the study of floral subjects started.
Four years later, Margaret started to achieve recognition for her art, and became a member of the Council for The Canterbury Society Of Arts. The Society also purchased two of her floral paintings, (Mountain Lily and Roses). In 1886 she also won the silver medal from the Auckland Society of Arts for a watercolour study in flowers and foliage.
Following the death of her father, Mark, in 1885, Margaret moved back to Diamond Harbour to live with her mother and sisters at what is now Godley House. She continued to study art and won further awards from the Auckland Society Of Arts and the Otago Art Society. The Canterbury Museum also purchased 12 of her drawings of New Zealand flowers.
By this time she was also beginning to have her work exhibited throughout New Zealand. Exhibitions were frequently carried out by the Auckland and Canterbury Society Of Arts, the Otago Arts Society and the New Zealand Academy Of Fine Arts.
In 1898 Margaret moved to St Ives in Cornwall, England. During this period she exhibited her work in both England and France. She also made several trips to Italy and Switzerland to sketch and paint. It was during this time that her interest in painting landscapes began to develop and feature in her art.
She eventually returned to New Zealand in 1906 and moved back to Godley House to live with her mother and sisters. By this time her artwork was being exhibited not only in New Zealand, but all over the world including England, France and Australia.
Following her return to New Zealand, Margaret worked continuously as an artist. In 1929, she was elected onto the council of the Canterbury Society Of Arts and in 1931 served as Vice President until her death in Hamner on the 10th December, 1934, aged 69.
Rita Angus, one of New Zealands most popular 20th century artists, cited Margaret Stoddard as having a major influence for her own floral paintings.