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www.artseast.co.uk
Mary Beale Self Portrait
Observations: Moyse’s Hall A new one-off exhibition celebrating the work of Mary Beale - one
rector, John Craddock. His tuition and lay interest in the arts led
of the most successful portrait painters of the late 17th century
her to pursue her own career as a professional portrait artist.
and widely believed to be England's first professional female painter, is to be held at Moyse’s Hall Museum, in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. Observations: The Mary Beale Collection will run from October 23rd until January 30th.
Mary lived during, and in the immediate aftermath of England’s Civil War, as well as the tumult of the 17th century Bubonic plague in a century dogged by religious conflict. While perhaps surprising to imagine a professional female during this period,
This exhibition will be the first time that West Suffolk Heritage
she was not unique. With the assistance of her husband Charles
Service has displayed its full collection of over 25 of Mary’s
and his connections with some of English society’s biggest names
original portraits of the great and good (or questionable) of 17th
from both the art and political worlds, Mary became one of the
century England; believed to be the largest collection held by any
most eminent artists of 17th century England with a studio on
public institution. It will include the Heritage Service’s first public
The Mall.
showing of a recent acquisition from a private estate. Several specialist speakers/authors will also be giving talks at the museum. Born in 1633 in the West Suffolk village of Barrow, just over five miles outside of Bury St Edmunds, Mary was the daughter of
This exhibition hopes to tell the story of how a family in the 17th century would reverse the societal norms of the patriarchal home to professionally succeed in the practice of commercial arts. www.moyseshall.org
