TRIPE, MARY ELIZABETH (née Richardson) (1867-1939) was the daughter of the Hon. Edward Richardson (q.v.). Educated privately and at the Christchurch Girls' High School, she studied painting under James Nairn, van der Velden and Nerli. While in England in 1913-14 she studied under Frederick Whiting, R.P. In 1900 she married Joseph Albert, son of Dr W. B. Tripe. Mrs Tripe painted a good deal in both oils and water colours, and was for years one of the foremost landscape and portrait painters in New Zealand. Her figure work was outstanding and she was one of the first New Zealanders to paint the nude. She exhibited with success at the New Zealand Academy of Arts over a long period of years, and abroad at the Royal Academy, the Paris Salon, the Royal Society of Women Artists and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters (where her works were hung on the line). Many of her pictures were acquired for public galleries in New Zealand, including several for the National Portrait Gallery. Mrs Tripe died on 21 Sep 1939.

The Dominion, 22 Sept 1939.

Reference: Volume 2, page 201

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