Fruit of Friendship

Accompanying a major exhibition at Philip Mould & Company, Fruit of Friendship:Portraits by Mary Beale presents the work of the remarkable sevenenteenth-centurywoman artist.Mary Beale (1633–1699) was Britain’s first woman artist to run a successful studiopractice. In an era when the arts in Britain were flourishing and portraitists were in highdemand, Beale established a unique practice that set her apart from her competitors andbrought her great acclaim.Friendship and family played a crucial role in Beale’s success. She was the figureheadof her family and studio, while her husband dedicated himself to supporting thebusiness, often preparing paints and canvasses. Beale’s portraits, many of which areillustrated here for the first time, build a picture of a talented and multi-faceted woman– artist, writer, businesswoman, mother and friend.The title of this publication and of the accompanying exhibition is drawn fromBeale’s own writings, and the materials presented span her entire career. Featuringessays by leading scholars, the catalogue introduces a number of recently discoveredportraits by Beale and showcases several important works that have never been publiclydisplayed before.