Matilda Lotz Turned 6-Years-Old the Day Before the Battle of Franklin
FRANKLIN, TENN.— The Lotz House will host a special Women’s History Tour on Sunday, November 29, which would have been Matilda Lotz’s 168th birthday. She turned 6 years old the day before the Battle of Franklin, which was held on November 30, 1864. The Lotz House is located at ground zero of the Battle of Franklin.
November 29, 1858, Matilda Lotz was welcomed into the world by her parents, Margaretha and Johann Albert Lotz who built the Lotz House in Franklin. Matilda grew up in a home watching her father sketch his woodworking concepts. She turned six years old the day before the Battle of Franklin. At that time, she was already drawing and sketching. She particularly enjoyed drawing their cows, chickens and other animals.
Matilda grew up to become a famous portrait artist. She studied under William Keith and in the 1880s she furthered her art studies in Paris, France, under Felix Barrias and the famous animal painter Van Marcke. While in Paris, she received an honorable mention for her work exhibited at the Paris Salon and was awarded two gold medals by the Paris Academy of Painting (the first woman ever to be honored by the Academy). She traveled extensively in Europe and Egypt, as a single, unchaperoned woman, which was not usual for that period in time.
Despite her workload, she was frequently commissioned to paint portraits of royal families throughout Europe. She was commissioned to paint the portrait of George Hearst, father of William Randolph Hearst. Matilda’s painting of George Hearst hangs today in The Hearst Castle.
Today, Matilda Lotz is recognized as one of California’s premier early female artists, and her work is highly prized in the US and throughout Europe.
Sunday, November 29, the Women’s History Tour is at 6:30 p.m. at the Lotz House, 1111 Columbia Avenue in Franklin. The tour will focus on Matilda and other women in the surrounding community. Reservations are required by calling 615-790-7190.
For more information, visit www.lotzhouse.com.
About the Lotz House:
The Lotz House has been on the National Historic Register since 1976 and is located at “ground zero” of the Battle of Franklin, which was a pivotal battle in the Civil War on November 30, 1864. The house is open for tours Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is charged. The Lotz House is located at 1111 Columbia Avenue. Specialty tours are also available. For more information, call 615-790-7190 or visit www.lotzhouse.com.
