Mrs Delany: A Life

Mary Granville Delany, an artist and court insider, is best known for her flower collages. This biography by Clarissa Campbell Orr places her art in the broader context of her family life, relationships with royalty, and her endeavor to live as an independent woman. It reveals her to be far more than a widow befriended by George III and Queen Charlotte, restoring her to her proper place in aristocratic society and as a ground-breaking artist.

Format: Hardback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2019
Publisher: Yale University Press

Mary Granville Delany, the artist and court insider whose captivating flower collages continue to inspire widespread admiration, is the subject of a comprehensive biography by Clarissa Campbell Orr. Delany's artistic journey, which began to flourish later in life, is explored in depth in this nuanced and thoroughly researched work. The biography places Delany's art within the broader context of her family life, relationships with royalty, and her quest for independence.

Clarissa Campbell Orr, a renowned authority on the eighteenth-century court, charts Mary Delany's development from a young woman at the center of elite circles to a beloved godmother and celebrated collagist. Orr traces the diverse connections Mary Delany fostered throughout her life, which greatly influenced her intellectual and artistic development. She was friends with prominent figures such as Methodist leader John Wesley, composer G. F. Handel, writer Jonathan Swift, and England's leading patron of science, Margaret Bentinck, Duchess of Portland.

Mrs. Delany, as revealed in the biography, is much more than a widow befriended by George III and Queen Charlotte; she is restored to her rightful place in the aristocratic society of the era and recognized as a groundbreaking artist. The book delves into the details of Delany's life, including her upbringing, education, and artistic pursuits, shedding light on her remarkable journey and contributions to the world of art.

Through her meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Clarissa Campbell Orr has brought Mary Granville Delany to life in a way that resonates with readers, offering a fresh perspective on this remarkable woman and her enduring legacy. This biography is a must-read for anyone interested in art, history, and the lives of remarkable women from the eighteenth century.

Weight: 906g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300161137