The Elegant Engravings of Annie French
by Ami Melville
The details in the engraving below feel as if they have emerged from a fairytale. From the delicate patterns of the woman’s decorous dress to the blooming flowers intricately coming alive behind her, this paradise seems like it could only exist in a fantasy world. That’s because its creator, Glasgow-born painter and engraver Annie French (1871-1965), was additionally an active contributor to children’s book illustrations along with her other artistic endeavours. Let us examine the elegant engravings of Annie French and the legacy she left through her work.
Annie French, Princess Melilot (1941). Image courtesy of National Galleries Scotland.
Recognized as one of the Glasgow Girls, French was interconnected with other female artists in Scotland, such as watercolourist Bessie MacNicol and oil painter Stansmore Dean. The Glasgow Girls, active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, pursued diverging styles and had a variety of artistic influences; however, they were united by their shared Scottish heritage and experiences as female artists in a patriarchal art world. French in particular developed her unique style through the Arts and Crafts Movement, which emerged prominently throughout the British Isles as a means to reinvigorate design and craftsmanship. Her motifs of nature, as well as the dainty patterns of her work, characterise the artistry that the Movement sought to evoke from its members. Additionally, French was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites and their attention on characterising female beauty through “classical” poses and elegant composition.
Annie French, The Pink Rose (c. 1900s). Image courtesy of National Galleries Scotland.
Above is French’s engraving entitled The Pink Rose (c. 1900s). French carefully constructs a distinguished pattern in the wallpaper behind the lady, which ties to the decorated interiors desired by the Movement. In the foreground, the lady’s surroundings bloom as she is encased in roses and leaves. The dress she wears beneath contains a complex floral pattern, maintaining French’s relationship with the natural world as an integral part of her style. Attention is placed onto each of the flowers in her bouquet, exemplifying the effort French put into highlighting the details of the piece. While she does not highlight individuality of the lady but rather the decadence of her surroundings, French places aesthetic beauty at the forefront of her artwork. It is composed of seamless, flowing movements as our eyes move from the lady’s rosy cheeks to the billowing circles of flowers surrounding her.
Annie French, Friendships Bloom Best Beside the Wishing Well (year unknown). Image courtesy of Bonhams.
This work, Friendships Bloom Best Beside the Wishing Well, immerses the woman depicted in springtime. She appears to be pleasantly inhaling the flowers before her, encased in a cornucopia of flowers that come alive through French’s exquisite detailing. Her red and blue headpiece and several flowers in her bouquet are bright bursts of colour that characterise the warmth emerging from early springtime. French again highlights the aesthetic qualities of design and the intricacies of true craftsmanship.
Annie French, Flora (date unknown). Image courtesy of Christie’s.
In Flora, another lady’s dress is in full bloom highlighting the vibrance of nature. Blue and green are scattered throughout, placed to effectively draw attention to her skirt and arms full of flowers. Her delicate features are intertwined with the graceful details of her environment. French again equates aesthetic beauty with immersion in nature, colour, and femininity.
Existing scholarship on French’s work is scarce. Many of her works have long been sold to private collectors; in the wider scope of the Glasgow Girls, the Glasgow Style mainly fell out of favour after World War I and its legacy (as well as the Girls) dwindled. Additionally, French’s designs have sometimes been written off as superficial due to her subject matter and emphasis on aesthetics. However, it is important to re-explore her works, along with those of the other Glasgow Girls, to recognize their creativity, talent, and widely forgotten legacy in the 19th and 20th century art worlds.
Bibliography
Annie French. Accessed October 12, 2023. https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/artists/annie-french.
“Annie French (1872-1965) Friendship Blossoms Best beside the Wishing Well 23.5 x 18 Cm. (9 1/4 x 7 1/16 In.).” Bonhams. Accessed October 12, 2023. https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27536/lot/34/annie-french-british-1872-1965-friendship-blossoms-best-beside-the-wishing-well-235-x-18-cm-9-14-x-7-116-in/.
French, Annie. “The Pink Rose.” National Galleries of Scotland. Accessed October 12, 2023. https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/113175.
“Glasgow Girls.” Glasgow Girls. Accessed October 12, 2023. https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/glossary-terms/glasgow-girls.