Erased, Redrawn: Mary Beale

Mary Beale (1632-1699) is described as the first professional British female painter. She is best known for her portraits and made her living taking commissions from patrons. !n 1664 she wrote an 'Essay on Friendship' proposing the radical notion (for the time) of equality between the sexes, both in friendship and in marriage. Her philosophy was put into practice when, upon her return to London, she established her as a professional artist. Her husband became her assistant, organising commissions, doing the accounts and mixing the paint. Prints are available to buy