Helen Cordelia Angela Coleman R.S.W. (1847-1884) "Pinks"

A beautifully executed watercolour of carnations by Helen Cordelia Angela Coleman titled 'pinks'. Biography: Helen was a fruit, flower and bird painter. Furthermore, she received her first lessons in art from her brother William Stephen Coleman. She was appointed Flower Painter in Ordinary to Queen Victoria in 1897. She was a member of both the Royal Watercolour Society and the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, who awarded her a membership in 1875 Sadly Coleman was to die young at the age of just 37. As a mark of the importance of her work as a female watercolourist Coleman's work can be found in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum. The watercolour is presented in a gilt frame with a label verso (see photos).