Forename of many an artist (5)

I believe the answer is:

clara

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'forename of many an artist' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'forename of many an artist' is the wordplay.
'forename of' becomes 'c' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'many' becomes 'l'.
'an' becomes 'a'.
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'c'+'l'+'a'+'ra'='CLARA'

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(Other definitions for clara that I've seen before include "Schumann" , "- Bow, US actress, the 'It Girl'" , "Home town of the Taoiseach" , "Butt" , "-- Bow, silent film actress" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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