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25 November 2024 marks the 175th anniversary of our founder Mary Watts, here we celebrate her life, work and legacy.
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.
My hope is that Terra cotta shall be my future - Mary Watts, 9 September 1894
My hope is that Terra cotta shall be my future
- Mary Watts, 9 September 1894
Illustrated photograph albumMary Fraser Tytler (later Mary Seton Watts)c.1865-67This photograph album contains photographs collected by Mary Watts when she was a teenager. Images of family, friends and public figures are cut out, arranged and elaborately decorated in watercolour and ink. The album is thought to be Mary's earliest surviving creative work. It provides a rich visual record of her family life and interests. The original is currently on display in Mary Watts' studio, Limnerslease.
The album was digitised in full with generous support from the Royal College of Art Archive.
Follow this tour around Watts Gallery - Artists' Village or enjoy from the comfort of your home to discover Mary's character, life, works and legacy.
Watch these films that explore Mary and her artistic legacy
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.
Discover over 7,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics, prints and photographs in Watts Gallery's collection.
As we mark the 175th anniversary of our founder Mary Watts, we celebrate her life, work and legacy with this product range.
Shop the full range >
Available exclusively at the Watts Gallery shop and online, the Limner Collection is produced in collaboration with participants of Watts Gallery Trust's Art for All Community Learning Programme. Each product is either handmade or decorated with designs created by the programme's participants and inspired by the work of G F and Mary Watts.