Who Is Maud Lewis? Age, Biography and Wiki
Maud Lewis, born on March 7, 1903, in South Ohio, Nova Scotia, is celebrated for her vibrant and joyful folk art. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, including health issues and a modest upbringing, Maud developed a unique painting style characterized by bold colors and whimsical depictions of rural life. She passed away on July 30, 1970, but her influence continues to resonate, with her art displayed in galleries around the world, including the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
| Occupation | Painters |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 7, 1903 |
| Age | 67 Years |
| Birth Place | South Ohio, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | Canada |
| Date of death | 30 July, 1970 |
| Died Place | Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada |
Popularity
Maud Lewis's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Maud Lewis had a petite stature and dealt with disabilities that influenced her physical appearance. While exact measurements are not specified, she was known for her small frame. Reports suggest her weight fluctuated due to health issues, but the focus has always remained on her remarkable talent rather than her physicality.
A steel memorial sculpture based on the Lewis' house has been erected at the original homesite in Marshalltown, designed by architect Brian MacKay-Lyons. A replica of the Maud Lewis House was built in 1999 by retired fisherman Murray Ross, complete with finished interior. It is a few kilometres north of Marshalltown on the road to Digby Neck in Seabrook.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Maud Lewis married Everett Lewis, a fish peddler, in 1938. Their relationship was both supportive and tumultuous, often marked by economic hardships. Everett played a significant role in Maud's artistic career, encouraging her to paint and selling her pieces. The couple lived in a one-room house, which Maud famously decorated with her artwork, further establishing her legacy. As of 2025, Maud's immediate family has long passed, but her artistic lineage endures.
She had one brother, Charles. Lewis' father was a blacksmith and harness maker who owned a harness shop in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. His business enabled Lewis to enjoy a middle-class childhood. She was introduced to art by her mother, who instructed her in the making of watercolour Christmas cards to sell. Lewis began her artistic career by selling hand-drawn and painted Christmas cards.
Net Worth and Salary
Though Maud Lewis faced financial struggles during her lifetime, her artwork has significantly appreciated in value since her passing. As of 2025, her paintings are sold at auction for hundreds of thousands of dollars, with some pieces fetching even more. While her exact net worth is difficult to determine, estimates suggest that her estate is worth upwards of several million dollars, reflecting the high demand for her unique talents.
Career, Business and Investments
Maud Lewis's career as a folk artist flourished throughout the mid-20th century. She began painting as a child and developed her style by capturing the essence of her surroundings—gardens, animals, and rural landscapes. Although she sold her works for minimal amounts during her lifetime, the recognition came posthumously. Today, Maud's art is considered a vital part of Canadian art history, influencing a new generation of artists and collectors. In recent years, there have been significant investments in exhibitions and retrospectives celebrating her work.
Lewis returned to the same subjects again and again, each time painting them slightly differently. For instance, she made dozens, if not hundreds, of images of cats over the course of her career. The serial nature of her practice was partly motivated by customer demand; she repeated compositions that sold well while discarding less popular ones.
“I put the same things in, I never change,” she said of her style on the CBC program Telescope in 1965. “Same colours and same designs.”
Social Network
While Maud Lewis was not active on social media during her life, her legacy has gained a substantial online presence. Various platforms showcase her work, and art lovers often share her paintings across Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. She also has a dedicated fanbase that promotes her story and celebrates her contributions to folk art, keeping her memory alive in contemporary discussions.
After Everett Lewis' death, their painted house began to deteriorate. A group of concerned citizens from the Digby area started the Maud Lewis Painted House Society to save the landmark.
In 1984, it was sold to the Province of Nova Scotia and transferred to the care of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, which restored the house and installed it as part of its permanent Lewis exhibit. This inspiring story helped to sway the provincial and municipal government about the importance of an art museum for the city.
Every year, this attraction welcomes thousands of visitors from around the world and depicts her cheerful perseverance even in the face of physical and economic hardships.
Education
Maud Lewis's formal education was limited due to her family's financial constraints. However, she was taught to paint by her mother, which ignited her passion for art. Self-taught in her techniques, Maud's creativity flourished despite the lack of formal training, highlighting her talent and resilience. Her life story serves as an inspiring reminder of how passion can flourish regardless of societal limitations.
Maudie Dowley married Everett Lewis, a fish peddler from Marshalltown, on January 16, 1938, at the age of 34. He also worked as the watchman at the county Poor Farm. According to Everett, Maud showed up at his doorstep in response to an ad he had posted in the local stores for a "live-in or keep house" for a 40-year-old bachelor. Several weeks later, they married.
