Ella Condie Lamb: Charles Lamb

"Charles [Lamb] with Beret" by Ella Condie Lamb

"Upon her return to the United States Ella found a position as art instructor in a 'school for young ladies' in Bergen Point, New Jersey. Her business card lists her teachers: M.M. Collins and Courtois, Paris; Messrs. Wm. M. Chase, Walter Shirlaw, C.Y. Turner, New York. Chase also sent his recommendation as following: 'I take pleasure in presenting my former pupil Miss Ella G. Condie as one fully competent to teach the Art of Drawing or Painting.'

Ella had now known Charles Lamb for several years. They had studied at the Art Students League, he had visited her in France, and had accompanied her with her friends to the Netherlands and to England. Only 5'1", with long blond hair and blue eyes, exceedingly talented and dedicated to her art, Ella seems to have fascinated Charles from almost the moment he met her. Their son, Condie, recalled that his father often said he had married 'the best student at the Art Students League.' No longer a student, Ella was now a mature professional artist.

Charles was a handsome, outgoing man and Ella, though cautious, had become enamored of him. She had begun to realize that he was somewhat of a dynamo with a complicated personality. The decision as to whether or not to marry him loomed before her and she would not be hurried into making it. She had to proceed at her own gait and she put him off, knowing she needed to retreat, not only to make a decision about Charles, but also to find her own stride in life as well as in art. 

For two years Ella continued with her teaching, painting and exhibiting her work.

Then in a love letter written on thin tissue-like paper from Ella to Charles, and carefully preserved by him, she acknowledged her love for him and what that meant to her. Instead of dedicating herself solely to achieving supremacy in art, she chose married life: 'I wonder if you really know what it means - it means that the greatest joy that can come to a woman has come to me - that the highest station in life that can be given her has been given to me - that the richest possibilities that can be opened before her have been opened to me. You do not mind if I am not a great artist?' Of course, he did not mind.

Her father wished her and Charles 'their 'full share of those greatly to be admired blessings, Health, Happiness and Contentment, in whatever part of life's great drama you may be called upon to participate.' 

After June 16, 1888, Ella Grace Condie signed her paintings, 'Ella Condie Lamb.'" 

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Ella's Certain Window" by Barea Lamb Seeley.)