B. 1883 -1961

Constance Jenkins was an artist and teacher born in Melbourne best known for her oil painting practice. Jenkins attended the National Gallery of Victoria Art School from 1900 to 1908, during which she exhibited her 1907 work ‘Friendly Critics’ at the Australian Exhibition of Women’s Work. In 1908, Jenkins became the first woman to win the coveted National Gallery Travelling Scholarship for this work, allowing her to study at the Academie Julian in Paris the following year. 

Jenkins subsequently studied in London, Munich and Italy, exhibiting at the Salon des Artistes Francais and the Royal Academy in London. She married Spencer Macky and moved to the USA permanently in 1912, where they had two sons. Here, they established an art school which soon merged with the California School of Fine Arts. 

Jenkins continued to exhibit with various groups throughout her career. She died in San Francisco in 1961. Her works are widely held in public collections in Australia, including at the National Gallery of Victoria, and the National Library of Australia.

To read the National Gallery of Victoria's article about Jenkins, click here.