Maria Morris Miller, “Nymphoea Odoraton/White Pond Lily” from Wild Flowers of Nova Scotia (Plate III), 1840

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Women artists in 19th century Canada often did not have the same opportunities as their male counterparts. They were often barred from formal training and even if they could access it, they were not allowed to draw from nude models. Unless they had a rich husband who was okay with them having a hobby, most materials were out of their reach as well.

This made botanical drawings as well as the affordable medium of watercolour, prevalent in the early art of Canadian women.

(Source: gallery.ca)

thewalrusmagazine:

Kathryn Macnaughton

Flesh and Numbers, 2012

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(created to accompany Stephen Marche’s short story ”Flesh and Numbers.”)

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Marie Reine Josephte Belleau

Moth and Butterfly on Flowering Branch, 1845

(Source: collectionscanada.gc.ca)

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John Coke Smyth

Moose Hunter from Sketches in Canada, 1840

(Source: collectionscanada.gc.ca)