The lives and works of creative women
A Vase of Flowers
1792-97RCIN 402468
Mary Moser was the youngest founding member of the Royal Academy in London, and one of only two women. Moser was the most accomplished flower painter of her day, a genre historically considered particularly suitable for women painters. She was trained by her father and enjoyed frequent patronage from Queen Charlotte, to whom Moser also taught painting.
In the 1790s, Queen Charlotte commissioned Moser to decorate the South Pavilion at Frogmore House. The result is the Mary Moser Room, shown here, which is covered with flower paintings, some on canvas and some painted directly upon the wall. Skilful depictions of abundantly ripe flower arrangements sit below a ceiling that creates a 'trompe-l'œil', or optical illusion, of a garden arbour. Looking up, the viewer sees an orderly array of floral swags, garlands and hanging plants against a blue sky.
