Case 16
- Emily Cumming Harris
Emily Cumming Harris. New Zealand flowers. Nelson: H.D. Jackson, 1890.
Emily Cumming Harris (1837?-1925) was an early New Zealand botanical artist who wished to earn her living solely by painting and teaching drawing.
Born in Plymouth, England, Harris came to New Zealand in 1841 with her parents and siblings. The family fostered Harris’ artistic tendencies which emerged at an early age. They also ran a school in Nelson, living in often precarious financial circumstances.
Harris published three books in Nelson in 1890, New Zealand flowers, New Zealand ferns and New Zealand berries. Each contained twelve lithographs with descriptive text, and some copies were hand coloured by Harris. But her books struggled to compete with the cruder, more popular botanical works of the time.
Emily Harris exhibited her art in New Zealand, Melbourne and London, attracting many awards. Earning a living as a single woman artist however was an immense struggle, with household duties, as well as teaching, consuming her time and energy. Her artistic development was restricted by straitened finances and the conventions of the time, which denied most women a career outside the family.
Emily Cumming Harris. New Zealand ferns. Nelson: H.D. Jackson, 1890.
Emily Cumming Harris (1837?-1925) was an early New Zealand botanical artist who wished to earn her living solely by painting and teaching drawing.
Born in Plymouth, England, Harris came to New Zealand in 1841 with her parents and siblings. The family fostered Harris’ artistic tendencies which emerged at an early age. They also ran a school in Nelson, living in often precarious financial circumstances.
Harris published three books in Nelson in 1890, New Zealand flowers, New Zealand ferns and New Zealand berries. Each contained twelve lithographs with descriptive text, and some copies were hand coloured by Harris. But her books struggled to compete with the cruder, more popular botanical works of the time.
Emily Harris exhibited her art in New Zealand, Melbourne and London, attracting many awards. Earning a living as a single woman artist however was an immense struggle, with household duties, as well as teaching, consuming her time and energy. Her artistic development was restricted by straitened finances and the conventions of the time, which denied most women a career outside the family.
Emily Cumming Harris. New Zealand berries. Nelson: H.D. Jackson, 1890.
Emily Cumming Harris (1837?-1925) was an early New Zealand botanical artist who wished to earn her living solely by painting and teaching drawing.
Born in Plymouth, England, Harris came to New Zealand in 1841 with her parents and siblings. The family fostered Harris’ artistic tendencies which emerged at an early age. They also ran a school in Nelson, living in often precarious financial circumstances.
Harris published three books in Nelson in 1890, New Zealand flowers, New Zealand ferns and New Zealand berries. Each contained twelve lithographs with descriptive text, and some copies were hand coloured by Harris. But her books struggled to compete with the cruder, more popular botanical works of the time.
Emily Harris exhibited her art in New Zealand, Melbourne and London, attracting many awards. Earning a living as a single woman artist however was an immense struggle, with household duties, as well as teaching, consuming her time and energy. Her artistic development was restricted by straitened finances and the conventions of the time, which denied most women a career outside the family.
Moore, Sarah Rebecca. Fairyland in New Zealand: a story of the caves. Illustrations by Emily Cumming Harris. Auckland: Brett Printing and Publishing, 1909.
Emily Cumming Harris (1837?-1925) was an early New Zealand botanical artist who wished to earn her living solely by painting and teaching drawing.
Born in Plymouth, England, Harris came to New Zealand in 1841 with her parents and siblings. The family fostered Harris’ artistic tendencies which emerged at an early age. They also ran a school in Nelson, living in often precarious financial circumstances.
Harris published three books in Nelson in 1890, New Zealand flowers, New Zealand ferns and New Zealand berries. Each contained twelve lithographs with descriptive text, and some copies were hand coloured by Harris. But her books struggled to compete with the cruder, more popular botanical works of the time.
Emily Harris exhibited her art in New Zealand, Melbourne and London, attracting many awards. Earning a living as a single woman artist however was an immense struggle, with household duties, as well as teaching, consuming her time and energy. Her artistic development was restricted by straitened finances and the conventions of the time, which denied most women a career outside the family.
Moore, Sarah Rebecca. Fairyland in New Zealand: a story of the caves. Illustrations by Emily Cumming Harris. Auckland: Brett Printing and Publishing, 1909.
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![[Two photographs of Emily Cumming Harris]. 1881.](https://www.reedgallery.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0006/668373/16e.jpg)
[Two photographs of Emily Cumming Harris]. 1881.
Emily Cumming Harris (1837?-1925) was an early New Zealand botanical artist who wished to earn her living solely by painting and teaching drawing.
Born in Plymouth, England, Harris came to New Zealand in 1841 with her parents and siblings. The family fostered Harris’ artistic tendencies which emerged at an early age. They also ran a school in Nelson, living in often precarious financial circumstances.
Harris published three books in Nelson in 1890, New Zealand flowers, New Zealand ferns and New Zealand berries. Each contained twelve lithographs with descriptive text, and some copies were hand coloured by Harris. But her books struggled to compete with the cruder, more popular botanical works of the time.
Emily Harris exhibited her art in New Zealand, Melbourne and London, attracting many awards. Earning a living as a single woman artist however was an immense struggle, with household duties, as well as teaching, consuming her time and energy. Her artistic development was restricted by straitened finances and the conventions of the time, which denied most women a career outside the family.
![[Two photographs of Emily Cumming Harris]. 1881.](https://www.reedgallery.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0007/668374/16ee.jpg)
[Two photographs of Emily Cumming Harris]. 1881.
Emily Cumming Harris (1837?-1925) was an early New Zealand botanical artist who wished to earn her living solely by painting and teaching drawing.
Born in Plymouth, England, Harris came to New Zealand in 1841 with her parents and siblings. The family fostered Harris’ artistic tendencies which emerged at an early age. They also ran a school in Nelson, living in often precarious financial circumstances.
Harris published three books in Nelson in 1890, New Zealand flowers, New Zealand ferns and New Zealand berries. Each contained twelve lithographs with descriptive text, and some copies were hand coloured by Harris. But her books struggled to compete with the cruder, more popular botanical works of the time.
Emily Harris exhibited her art in New Zealand, Melbourne and London, attracting many awards. Earning a living as a single woman artist however was an immense struggle, with household duties, as well as teaching, consuming her time and energy. Her artistic development was restricted by straitened finances and the conventions of the time, which denied most women a career outside the family.
