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Mary Fedden is known for her simple yet distinctive still life paintings. Taught by theatre designer Vladimir Polunin whilst studying at the Slade School of Art (1932–36), Fedden proceeded to paint sets at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London. During the war she served as a driver abroad, as well as in the Land Army and the Women’s Voluntary Service. Afterwards, she continued to travel extensively with her husband and artist, Julian Trevelyan (1910–88). In 1949, they moved to a flat overlooking the River Thames in London, where she lived until she died. Fedden was the first woman tutor at the Royal College of Art (1958–64) and acted as Vice-Chair (c.1954) and then Chair (1955–58) of the Women’s International Art Club in London. She served as the President of the Royal West of England Academy (1984–88), elected shortly afterwards to the Royal Academy in 1992. Fedden produced several murals over the course of her career, including propaganda pieces during the war, a commission for the Television pavilion at the Festival of Britain (1951), and in hospitals and schools across England. She continued to paint well into her nineties, explaining that ‘painting is one of those professions that accommodates old age’.

Selected Collections

Lucy Cavendish College (University of Cambridge)

Tate

York Art Gallery

Further Reading

Andreae, Christopher. Mary Fedden: Enigmas and Variations. London: Lund Humphries, 2014.

Delmar-Morgan, Alex, “A Life in the Day: Mary Fedden,” Sunday Times (6 June 2006): 58.

Gooding, Mel. Mary Fedden. Aldershot: Scolar Press, 1995.

Manser, José. Mary Fedden and Julian Trevelyan: life and art by the River Thames. London: Unicorn Press, 2012.

Taylor, John Russell, “Still lifes still glowing with life,” The Times (21 February 1995).