EARLY BRITISH WOMEN ARTISTS, and their place in society with Kathleen Olive

At its foundation in 1768, the Royal Academy of Arts (RA) numbered two women academicians: Angelica Kauffman, a Swiss artist who spent time in Italy and England, and the English painter Mary Moser, perhaps less known today.

It was not until 1936 that another woman would be appointed as a full RA member. Meet England’s earliest women artists, from 17^th century portraitist Joan Carlile to Mary Beale and her treatise on still-life painting, and celebrated miniaturist Anne Mee.

DR KATHLEEN OLIVE has a PhD in Italian Studies from the University of Sydney, where she also taught Italian language, literature, and history.

Since 2003 she has led cultural tours to Europe, the USA and Japan. Kathleen is a national lecturer for the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS).

This lecture is supported by The Colin Holden Charitable Trust

Anne Mee’s self-portrait in watercolour on ivory, a delicate 18^th century work that is less than 10 cm in size.

Anne Mee (English, circa 1770 - 1851)
self-portrait of Mrs. Anne Mee, born Anne Foldsone, circa 1795
watercolour on ivory | 76 x 57 mm
Department of Prints and Drawings and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1962. London: HMSO, 1964
Victoria & Albert, London, P.12-1962