Persis Kirmse

Who was Persis Kirmse?

Persis Kirmse was a British painter and etcher noted for her images of dogs and cats.

Persis Kirmse produced portraits and illustrations in pastels and oils, often used for calendars and postcards. She was commissioned by European aristocracy to paint portraits of their pets, and wrote several books for children using her own illustrations. She produced illustrated versions of scenes from Shakespeare using animal characters - these included Shakespeare at the Kennels, Shakespeare with the Pets, Shakespeare at the Zoo and Shakespeare and the Birds. Her illustrations were also used in books by Frances Pitt and E.V. Lucas. Her work was exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1916.

Her sister, the artist Marguerite Kirmse, became an American citizen, acclaimed for her etchings of dogs.