The Art of Mary Linwood: Embroidery, Installation, and Entrepreneurship in Britain, 1787-1845

The Art of Mary Linwood is the first book on Leicester textile artist Mary Linwood (1755-1845) and catalogue of her work. Linwood established her own London gallery in 1798 that featured copies of well-known paintings by these popular artists. The gallery's focus on picturesque painters provided visitors with an idyllic imaginary journey through the countryside. The book includes Linwood's gallery guides and unpublished letters, as well as the first and only catalogue of her extant and destroyed works. It provides a contribution to the scholarship on women and cultural agency in the early 19th century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 11 January 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Art of Mary Linwood is a groundbreaking work that delves into the life and career of Leicester textile artist Mary Linwood (1755-1845). This comprehensive book serves as both a comprehensive catalog of her artistic achievements and a detailed exploration of her remarkable life.

When Mary Linwood passed away in 1845, just shy of her 90th birthday, her estate was valued at an astonishing equivalent of £5,199,822 in today's currency. As a textile artist and gallery owner, Linwood made a living by creating embroidered replicas of famous artworks, such as those by Gainsborough, Reynolds, Stubbs, and Morland. However, it is intriguing to note that she did not sell these replicas, leading to the question of how she amassed such a substantial fortune.

Linwood was a pioneering woman in the male-dominated art world of late Georgian Britain. In 1798, she established her own London gallery, which featured copies of well-known paintings by these popular artists. Her gallery was unique in that it included props and specially designed rooms for her replicas, creating an entertaining, educational, and kinetic experience for her visitors. Linwood's focus on picturesque painters provided her London visitors with an idyllic imaginary journey through the countryside, reminiscent of what Madame Tussaud would do one generation later.

The gallery's emphasis on quintessentially British artists also had a unifying effect on a country that had recently emerged from the threat of Napoleonic invasion. By examining Linwood's replicas and their accompanying objects through the lens of material culture, this book makes a significant contribution to the scholarship on women and cultural agency in the early 19th century.

The Art of Mary Linwood also sheds light on Linwood's gallery guides and previously unpublished letters to her contemporaries, including Birmingham inventor Matthew Boulton and Queen Charlotte. These letters provide valuable insights into her personal life and artistic endeavors, adding depth to our understanding of her remarkable character.

Furthermore, the book includes the first and only catalog of Linwood's extant and destroyed works, providing a comprehensive record of her artistic output. By examining these works in detail, readers can appreciate the skill and craftsmanship that went into creating each piece and gain a deeper appreciation for Linwood's contributions to the art world.

In conclusion, The Art of Mary Linwood is a must-read for anyone interested in art, history, and women's studies. This groundbreaking work offers a fresh perspective on the life and career of a remarkable artist, providing valuable insights into the male-dominated art world of late Georgian Britain and the contributions of women to the field. Through its comprehensive catalog, unpublished letters, and examination of material culture, this book makes a significant contribution to the scholarship on women and cultural agency in the early 19th century.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350428089