`A Dorsetshire Cottage`
Mary Stormont (1871-1962)
A subtle and delicate watercolour depicting a picturesque Devon Cottage by well known Victorian artist Mary Stormont. Lovely tranquil scene with geese grazing on the verge of the lane. The painting is housed in an ornate faux-ivory frame which echoes the colours in the painting to great effect. Mary Stormont was the wife of Howard Stormont (1859-1935) and towards the end of her life she founded the Rye Art gallery and donated many paintings which form the basis of their permanent collection (see below).

Mary Stormont eloped to Rye, Sussex with fellow artist Howard Stormont in 1898, where they married and lived at Ypres Studio, Ockman Lane. Howard was mainly a landscape painter, while Mary painted landscapes, interiors and flower paintings. hey exhibited all their lives,Mary  showing regularly at the Royal Academy 26 times and many other locations, notably  the Bruton Galleries (19), Walker Liverpool, Royal Institute (6) and the Ridley Art Club (56). After Howard`s death in 1935, Mary continued to live in the Ypres Studio, with its splendid views across the marshes to the sea. Both artists had been founder members of the Rye Art Club in the 1920`s (under the patronage of the author Henry James) and at the end of her life Mary set up a trust to leave the Studio, art works and funds for what is now the Rye Art Gallery. More information can be found on their website.