Mary Seton Watts (nee Fraser Tytler) was born in India on 25 November 1849. Daughter of Charles Edward Fraser Tytler, who worked for the East India Company, Mary spent much of her youth in Scotland where she was raised by her grandparents.

Mary was an artist, designer, writer, businesswoman and philanthropist. She was the creative powerhouse behind two significant enterprises: the Watts Chapel and the Potters’ Arts Guild at Compton.

From 1872-1873 Mary was enrolled at the newly established Slade School of Fine Art. After leaving the Slade, she continued her studies in London under the celebrated Parisian sculptor Aimé-Jules Dalou (1838-1902).

Mary first met George Frederic Watts in the spring of 1870 when she visited his London studio-home, Little Holland House. Over the years, Mary received both friendship and artistic guidance from the older and well-established artist. After a short engagement, the couple married on 20 November 1886.

Without Mary, Watts Gallery would not be here today.

Articles

Films

Watch these films that explore Mary and her artistic legacy

Artist in Residence

Meet Ashleigh Fisk was our first ceramicist in residence in 2021 and responded to the rich legacy and ceramic heritage of Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, which began with Mary Watts’s design of the Watts Chapel and later, expanded to the pottery enterprise, The Compton Potters’ Arts Guild.

Shop Mary Watts inspired products