Women artists and designers exhibition

Published:: 10 February 2025

Two cherry blossom trees in the Rose Garden at Anglesey Abbey. The flag is flying on the house behind the trees. — Embark on a brand-new object trail in the House and gardens | © Mike Selby

This year, the National Trust is celebrating women artists and designers in a new publication. At Anglesey Abbey, we have created an object trail to commemorate these artists alongside other influential women at the property. You can follow the trail through the House and gardens and pick up a copy of the book in the shop.

For centuries, women have struggled to build careers as artists. Although some came from privileged backgrounds, most women were refused access to the education and resources needed to nurture their artistic skills and grow enterprises. Numerous restrictions forced many to give up their aspirations of becoming artists. Only a small number of women succeeded, and few have been recognised in the history of art.

The trail starts inside the House in the Tapestry Hall and continues into the Dining Room, Exhibition Room and the gardens. You can follow the route below by clicking through the photo gallery. Here, you can take a look at a selection of sculptures and objects that will be on display. Complete the full object trail and learn more about each item when you visit Anglesey Abbey.

The trail runs from Saturday 1 March to Sunday 1 June 2025.

Exhibition trail

A bronze sculpture, black in appearance against a white background. The sculpture is of a naked man looking to the skies with his arms wide open. — Bronze sculpture by Kathleen Scott | © Leah Band

Bronze sculpture by Kathleen Scott

Starting in the Tapestry Hall, you can see a bronze sculpture made by Kathleen Scott in 1922-1923, London. The bronze was a model for a First World War memorial at the Scott Polar Museum in Cambridge.

A blue book front cover with a miniature portrait of Napoleon in the centre and red flowers surrounding it. — A miniature portrait of Napoleon on his warhorse on the front cover of 'The Eventful Life of Napoleon Bonaparte' | © John Hammond

Miniature by Miss Caroline Billin Currie

Currie specialised in miniature portraits and produced many for Cosway bindings, which are decorated book bindings made for rich collectors. This miniature is hand-painted on ivory for the book: 'The Eventful Life of Napoleon Bonaparte' by William Henry Ireland.

White marble sleeping Faun statue between two hedges — Sleeping Faun by Harriet Goodhue Hosmer in Monks’ Garden. | © Leah Band

Sleeping Faun by Harriet Goodhue Hosmer

Once you have taken in the other items on display in the Exhibition Room, continue the trail on Monk's Lawn, opposite the Courtyard. The sculpture depicts a faun dozing after a night of merriment in the woods. Hosmer had to fight to uphold her status as an artist as some critics claimed her sculptures were too good to be her own. Despite these struggles, she became internationally famous within just ten years of commencing her career.

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We hope you enjoy finding out more about the objects, sculptures, books and paintings in the collection when you visit. The book Women Artists and Designers at the National Trust is also available to purchase in the shop at Anglesey Abbey. We look forward to welcoming you.