Mary Beale

1633–1699

Mary Beale, ‘Portrait of a Young Girl’ c.1681
Portrait of a Young Girl c.1681
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In Tate Britain

Walk Through British Art: 1650

Free entry

Biography

Mary Beale (née Cradock; late March 1633 – 8 October 1699) was one of the most successful professional female Baroque-era portrait painters of the late 17th century due to her perseverance of her business. Praised by Richard Gibson and court painter Peter Lely, she is considered as successful as Joan Carlile. Joan Carlile was also an English portrait painter, who was one of the first women to practise painting professionally. Mary Beale managed to be the financial provider for her family through her professional portrait business. Her book Observations, though never officially published, was one of the first instructional books ever written by a woman, and boldly announced her authority on painting. Mary Beale stood apart from other women due to her outspokenness and successful business that allowed her to be the breadwinner of the family.

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Later Stuart

Artworks

Mary Beale, ‘Portrait of a Young Girl’ c.1681

Mary Beale Portrait of a Young Girl

c.1681
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T06612
Mary Beale, ‘Sketch of the Artist’s Son, Bartholomew Beale, in Profile’ c.1660

Mary Beale Sketch of the Artist’s Son, Bartholomew Beale, in Profile

c.1660
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T13245
Mary Beale, ‘Sketch of the Artist’s Son, Bartholomew Beale, Facing Left’ c.1660

Mary Beale Sketch of the Artist’s Son, Bartholomew Beale, Facing Left

c.1660
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T13246
Unknown artist, Britain, attributed to Mary Beale, ‘Portrait of Robert Colman’ c.1690

Unknown artist, Britain, attributed to Mary Beale Portrait of Robert Colman

c.1690
T07240

Features

Mary Beale, ‘Portrait of a Young Girl’ c.1681
Essay

Portrait of a Young Girl c.1681: By Mary Beale

Rica Jones and Joyce H. Townsend

Read technical information about this painting resulting from examination and scientific analysis by conservators and conservation scientists at Tate

Jo Spence, ‘The Highest Product of Capitalism (after John Heartfield)’ 1979
In the Gallery

Women and Power: A walk through Tate Britain

Explore stories of women’s empowerment across the centuries through works in our collection

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