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Ellis was born in London, England (1842 - 1924) but
he spent his childhood and received his early
education in Malta. Mr. Ellis took to photography at
a time when the art form was still in its early
development in terms of both technique and
equipment. Ellis was one of the pioneers of
photography in Malta and Ellis studios in Strada
Reale now Republic Street, Valletta were popularly
considered the epitome in professional and artistic
excellence in the art of photography.
Ellis was active and prominent in all branches of
the art: still lives, views, and society photography
in addition to all the various departments of
developing, printing, retouching, mounting and frame
making, and later dealing and retailing of all types
of photographic goods and equipment.
Ellis as, by special appointment, photographer to ,
inter alia, King George V the Due of Edinburgh, the
Duke of Hesse, Queen Alexandria, King Edward VI, the
German Emperor, the Queen of Portugal, the Duke and
Duchess of Connaught, the prince Louis of Battenburg.
His works were awarded medals and trophies at many
exhibitions. The number of books and other
publications featuring his works is countless. With
the passage of time it is not only the historic
value of 'things as they then were' that becomes
increasingly prominent in them, but also the
technical excellence of his art in almost each of
his works.
The Ellis family also established themselves
prominently in Gozo. Richard commuted regularly
between there and Malta, also finding time for
tutoring at the Malta Society of Arts, manufactures
and Commerce. In 1913 he was appointed to the
organizing committee of the International
Eucharistic Congress.
Ellis married Alfonsina Curmi and their son, John
was later also active in the family business. |
