Biographies

Beatrice Parsons (1870 – 1955) She was a specialist, painting not still-life flowers nor landscaps, but gardens. Huntly Carter, in for March 17, 1910, thought she worked too much in the sun, but that her paintings “should appeal to the horticultural-minded and to people who care for very clean work and sunlight in patches of vivid colour. Apparently Miss Parsons sees flowers only in bright sunshine. But there are other effects, and she should seek them.” The New Age (NA 6.20:475) We have received further information about Parsons from Susan Selwyn, an English art historian who is plannning a biography of this artist: Although mainly known for her flower-filled garden scenes (much used as book, postcard and greeting card illustrations) she also exhibited several still-life flower pictures and landscapes – bluebell woods becoming one of her specialties – and some portraits. Huntley Carter’s comments in the New Age March 17, 1910, were unfair as she liked to paint at all seasons and in all weathers, in fact her first solo exhibition in 1904 was entitled ‘Old English Gardens (Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter)’. Before finding her niche as a painter of gardens she had hoped to become a painter of religious pictures in the Pre-Raphaelite style; before 1904, she also tried her hand at historical and genre scenes and stained glass design. We are grateful for the information.