WOMEN'S WORLDS : The Art and Life of Mary Ellen Best 1809-1891

New York, NY: Crown Publishers, 1985. First American Edition, First Printing . Hardcover. NEW - COLLECTIBLE/Near Fine. Text/BRAND NEW & Bright; First Editiion, First Printing. Gray linen boards/Fine. DJ/NF w/short closed tear to upper front spine corner. Originally published in U.K. under the title "The World of Mary Ellen Best". Biography of 19th century, well travelled English watercolorist, and feminist Mary Ellen Best (1809 -1891) who specialized in minutely detailed, picturesque, genteel interiors of cottages, houses, churches cafes and marketplacess. Living in an age when female artists concealed their identities, Best openly sought recognition. 160 pgs; 140 color reproductions are augmented w/astute commentaries on scenes depicted. Contents are: Section 1, A Scandalous Childhood; 2, The Ambitious Young Artist; 3, An Independent Woman; and 4, Marriage & Life on the Continent, followed by Epilogue, Maps of Yorkshire & the Continent, and biographical information.