Watercolour art has a long history, and from the 18th century onward, it was dominated by the British.
In 1890 Britain accepted its first female member to the Royal Watercolour Society, Helen Allingham (1848-1926).
Her encouragement came from her maternal grandmother and aunt, artists in their time.
Helen Allingham (nee Paterson) was an influential watercolourist and illustrator who inspired the likes of Vincent van Gogh.
Thanks to her contributions to The Graphic, a British weekly illustrated newspaper respected in the art community and circulated throughout the British Empire, her work was seen by up-and-coming artists and professionals alike.
In 1874, when she was 25, Allingham was commissioned to produce 12 illustrations for the novel Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy which appeared as a monthly serial in Cornhill Magazine.
Also at 25, she married 50-year-old William Allingham, an Irish poet and editor with whom she lived 15 years before he passed away in 1889. At 41, she was a widow with three young children to support which caused her to increase the production of her watercolour works.
What is Helen Allingham Known For?
The scenic countryside – cottages, gardens, and farmhouses. These are what people associate with the artist Helen Allingham.
She started painting her surroundings in southeastern England, specifically, Surrey and Sussex. Her landscape locations were further expanded to include other parts of England and Italy.
Irish Cottage, By the Cottage Gate, The Saucer of Milk, and A Cottage with Sunflowers at Peaslake are but a few of her notable works, in addition to her many illustrations.
She remained active in the art world until her death in 1926.✿