Caroline Helena Armington

Canadian [1875-1939]

Caroline Armington (née Wilkinson) was born in Brampton, Ontario, and first studied under John Wycliffe Lowes Forster (a paternal relative). It is during these early years as an art student where she first met her future husband, fellow artist Frank Armington. As a pragmatist, and in response to family pressure, Caroline pursued training as a nurse at Guelph General Hospital, subsequently practicing in New York City and Toronto. In this way, she earned enough money for her passage to France in 1900, where she married Frank Armington in a civil ceremony. After residing for several years in Manitoba (Caroline taught and offered private nursing), the couple returned to Paris in 1905. At this time, Caroline attended the Académie Julian (studying under Jean Paul Laurens, Henri Royer and Benjamin Constant) and the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. She began producing etchings in 1909 and in 1910, the National Gallery of Canada purchased the first of many of her etchings. Shortly thereafter, the Armingtons received a commission from the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) to create a series of etchings (landscapes). Five of these were later donated to the British Museum. During World War One, both Armingtons served with the American Ambulance Service in Paris (Caroline as a nurse and Frank as an orderly). Caroline was later commissioned to create etchings for the Canadian War Memorials collection. In 1929 the Armingtons had their first joint show at the Art Gallery of Toronto (now the Art Gallery of Ontario), while Caroline had an additional solo show at the Vancouver Art Gallery. During the 1920s and 1930s, Caroline Armington gained much recognition for her meticulously detailed etchings of European scenes. The etching had become her primary medium; she received numerous commissions and her work was included in many juried exhibitions during these years. In 1939, both Armingtons were in poor health, and Caroline suffered a heart attack during an air-raid alarm. They decided to leave Europe, arriving in New York, where Caroline died three days later.

Literature: “Caroline and Frank Armington: Canadian Painter-Etchers in Paris”; Janet Braide and Nancy Parke-Taylor; Art Gallery of Peel; 1990.