MARY DELANY

Mary Delany (1700-1788) is the subject of Molly Peacock’s recent biography The Paper Garden.  While the saga of Mrs. Delany's life is interesting, I was most arrested by the stunning prints of her paper-cut botanical illustrations.  She began these collages in earnest at 72 after the death of her second husband.  The vibrant colours are hand painted and meticulously cut into hundreds of shapes to make up each specimen.  She used a simple flour and water paste as her glue and I’m impressed and inspired by the seeming archival quality of this basic adhesive.