Muriel Bourne

Muriel Wheeler, Lady Wheeler, Bourne (1888–1979) was a British artist and sculptor.

Life

Muriel Wheeler, Lady Wheeler, née Bourne (1888–1979), in a May 1939 studio portrait photograph by Bassano Ltd. From the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Wheeler was born in Shrewsbury, and the Bourne family later moved to Wolverhampton for her father's job as canal superintendent. in St. Peter's Church, Wolverhampton after Charles had won a £100 second prize in a national competition.

Wheeler worked after her marriage, both creating her own art and as a model for her husband. She exhibited her work at the Royal Academy in 1919 under her maiden name, Muriel Bourne, and after that under her married name. She also exhibited at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, Leeds City Art Gallery, the New English Art Club, and at the Society of Women Artists.

Wheeler was elected an associate of the Royal Society of Sculptors (RBS) in 1942, and became a full member in 1946. She served for two years on the RBS Council.

Selected works by Wheeler 1931. Sir Charles Thomas Wheeler, lead bust, National Portrait Gallery, London. 1933. Self and Family, oil painting, private collection. 1958. Edith Ossorio, oil painting, private collection. Ossorio was the sitter for the 1879 painting Cherry Ripe, by John Everett Millais. 1959. Dancing on the Shore, oil painting, private collection. 1972. Henry Edmeadas Baker (1905–1994), in His Robes as Master of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, oil painting, Owletts. n.d. (1919–1945) Mother and Child, pewter and stone sculpture, Newport Museum and Art Gallery. n.d. Carol Wheeler as a Baby Sucking her Toe, bronze sculpture, Owletts.

Depictions of Wheeler by others 1918: Double portrait bronze medallion by Robert Jackson Emerson commemorating her marriage to Charles Wheeler, Wolverhampton Art Gallery. 1934: Gilt bronze portrait bust by Charles Wheeler, Wolverhampton Art Gallery. 1939: Photographic portrait by Bassano Ltd, National Portrait Gallery, London.