Elizabeth Lefort

Elizabeth Lefort
Born1914 (1914)
Point Cross, Canada
Died2005 (aged 90–91)
Chéticamp, Canada
Known forTapestry
SpouseKenneth Hansford
AwardsOrder of Canada (1987)

Elizabeth Lefort CM (1914–2005) was a Canadian tapestry artist, known for replicating photographs including portraits.[1]

Biography

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Elizabeth Lefort was born in 1914 in Point Cross, Nova Scotia.[2] In 1926 at the age of 12 she left school to begin her career and bring in needed income for her family.[3] Lefort learned the craft of rug hooking from her mother.[2] This craft has strong roots in Cape Breton.[4]

Lefort showed particular proficiency and around 1940 began following her own vision of design, by meticulously copying a postcard she received from her brother in England.[3] Not only was the rug an artistic success, it sold for a higher price than the more traditional designs.[3] To achieve the desired effect, Lefort dyed the wool she used to the specific colors she wanted.[2]

Lefort continued her work, championed by owner of a local crafts store, Kenneth Hansford, and she became the artist-in-residence at the Paul Pix Boutique in Margaree Harbour, Nova Scotia. Lefort and Hansford eventually married.[3][2]

In 1957 Lefort completed a tapestry portrait of U.S. President Eisenhower which was presented to the White House.[3][2]

Lefort continued producing portraits and also often used religious subjects, including a tapestry reproduction of da Vinci's Last Supper.[1]

In 1975 she received an honorary Docteur ès lettres from the Université de Moncton. In 1987 she was appointed a member of the Order of Canada.[2]

Lafort died in 2005 in Chéticamp, Nova Scotia.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Sanchini, Laura (2010). "Elizabeth LeFort: Canada's Artist in Wool/L'artiste canadienne de la laine. (book Review)". Material Culture Review. 72 (Fall). Archived from the original on 2 May 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Lefort, Elizabeth". Canadian Women Artists History Initiative. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Élizabeth LeFort". Les Trois Pignons. La Société Saint-Pierre. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Hooking". Arts North. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
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