Mary Delany: Mastery at 72

 

 

 

 Mary Delany's (1700-1788) life was typical for a woman of her times. In order to increase her family's fortune, she was married at 16 to a 61 year old drunkard and abusive man who died when she was 25. She would remain a widow living with a small stipend for a long time - having no interest in marrying again.

Instead, Delany lived with various family members. Through them, she joined that botanists "hive" and  grew exotic plants

which she would draw and paint. During those years as a widow, she was asked but never accepted proposals for marriage. That is, until at age 43 when she accepted Dr. Patrick Delany.

 

 Dr. Delany was Irish and the two decided to settle in Dublin where they shared their interest in gardening and botany. He lovingly encouraged her art. When she was 68, Dr. Delany died and once again she was widowed.

 Returning to England and with her continued interest is botany and art, Mary Delany continued her restless pursuit to try different ways of expressing art. She has painted, embroidered and used shells for decor. 

 

 

Finally, at age 72, she picked up scissors and paper to create in mixed-media what she referred to as "paper
mosaicks." Until her eyesight began to fail her, she would produce over 985 botanically correct floral from paper!

As one who knew her said of her, " "a real fine lady, the model of an accomplished woman of former times".