Mary Moser (1744-1819)

Like Angelica Kauffman, Mary Moser achieved artistic success at an early age, winning her first Royal Society of Arts medal at 14. Moser was also trained by her father, George Michael Moser, the first Keeper of the Royal Academy. Moser joined Kauffman as the only other female founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts. Moser gained an artistic reputation as a flower painting after being commissioned by Queen Charlotte in the 1790s to create a complex floral decorative scheme for Frogmore House in Windsor.  Being a female artist during this time was not easy, both Moser and Kauffman were prohibited from attending committee meetings and dinners, the main discussion arenas for the Academy. After Moser, no woman was elected as a full Academy member for 168 years (Dame Laura Knight in 1936).

Mary Moser (British, 1744-1819) An urn ornamented with the astrological symbol for Pisces contains an arrangement of flowers including Parrot tulips, hyacinth, anemone, and nasturtiums Watercolor and body color with gum Arabic over traces of graphite outline on prepared dark ground on paper 624 x 473 mm Royal Academy of Arts

Mary Moser (British, 1744-1819) Vase of Flowers Oil on canvas 72.1 x 53.6 cm The Fitzwilliam Museum

Mary Moser (British, 1744-1819) Spring, 1780 Oil on canvas 635 x 533 mm Royal Academy of Arts

Mary Moser (British, 1744-1819) Summer, 1780 Oil on canvas 635 mm x 533 cm Royal Academy of Arts

Sources:

• https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/mary-moser-and-angelica-kauffman