Collections Spotlight - Gulielma Burgess Watercolours

A collection of botanical watercolours from a local Leicester artist.

Published: 20 July 2023

Women historically have faced many challenges in establishing successful careers as artists. In the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, many women attended art schools but were discouraged from representing certain subjects, working in certain media, or taking on professional roles. Themes such as flowers and gardens, and media such as watercolour, were seen as more appropriate for female artists.

For this reason, some of the great botanical artists of the nineteenth century were women. These included such figures as the explorer and artist Marianne North, and the watercolourist Helen Allingham, who is especially well-known for her nostalgic representations of English gardens.

Detail of untitled watercolour, Woody Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) flowers and leaves

These works are by Gulielma Burgess (1840-1918) who was from a prominent Leicester family of Quakers with connections to the wool and hosiery trade. Little is known about Gulielma and her botanical paintings, which were gifted to the Museum by her family in 1945. We do not know, for instance, whether they were ever exhibited or published. They are, however, technically accomplished works, as well as valuable records of particular specimens.