Long before the invention of photography, European explorers and scientists embarked on global journeys, gathering diverse flora and fauna. This era marked a unique intersection of art and science, influencing fields such as medicine, anthropology, and natural history. During the period known as the Enlightenment, artists like Elizabeth Blackwell, John Gould, and Elizabeth Gould meticulously documented various species, including plants and birds, often resulting in extensive publications now preserved in museum archives.
Among these talented individuals was Sarah Stone (1759-1844), a British illustrator and daughter of a fan painter. Her vibrant illustrations of birds and artifacts stand out as a testament to her exceptional skill during a time when women were excluded from prestigious institutions like the Royal Academy in London. Remarkably, at just 21, she was invited to showcase her work as an "Honorary Exhibitor."
In the 1770s, the renowned collector Sir Ashton Lever commissioned Stone to create paintings for his museum, known as the Holophusikon, filled with natural and ethnographic treasures. Stone continued to contribute her artistry to the Holophusikon throughout the 1780s, crafting a visual history of the diverse objects and fauna sourced from across the globe.
The rise of aristocratic private museums during the Enlightenment coincided with Britain's growing wealth and influence, much of which stemmed from its empire. Many contemporary institutions, including the British Museum, have roots in these private collections.
Currently, nearly twenty of Stone's exquisite paintings are on display in the exhibition Sarah Stone's Unseen World: A Rare Collection of 18th Century Ornithological Watercolours, featured at the Master Drawings New York art fair. The exhibition showcases a remarkable variety of birds, from the stunning Bornean peacock pheasant to the striking orange-and-black rufous treepie.
The exhibition shares its name with a book co-authored by Errol Fuller and art dealer Craig Finch, highlighting these remarkable paintings. A statement regarding the exhibition notes, "Like many women painters of her time, Stone produced exquisite watercolour landscapes. However, she was exceptional in her commercial success, with her works highly sought after by collectors. In an era when women's contributions were often overlooked, Stone emerged as a prominent figure."
Sarah Stone's Unseen World is available for viewing at Peter Harrington Rare Books in Manhattan until February 7.
