Cicely Mary Barker

Cicely Mary Barker (1895 – 1973) was a renowned artist from England, best known for her creation of the famous Flower Fairies, depicted as ethereal smiling children with butterfly wings. Her art style was greatly influenced by the works of illustrator Kate Greenaway and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Barker’s work embodies the whimsy and charm of the Art Nouveau aesthetic, as well as the precision and fine detail of the Pre-Raphaelites. She worked mainly in watercolour, but was equally proficient in pen and ink, oils, and pastels. Her meticulous observation and representation of natural environments, coupled with her attention to detail, resulted in a beautiful blend of Realism, Idealism, and Romanticism.