In her timeless and beloved artworks, Cicely Mary Barker (1895 – 1973) painted flowers blossoming with delightful fairy children. Strongly influenced by the pre-Raphaelites, Barker crafted enchanting watercolors of butterfly-winged fairies whose clothing and character represented the flora of each artwork. Relatives and children from the kindergarten run by her sister inspired her fairies. In addition, Barker’s flowers were painted with meticulous botanical accuracy; if she could not find a desired genus, the staff of London’s Kew Gardens would bring her a live specimen. Barker published a series of acclaimed “Flower Fairy” books containing images of innocence and joy that still resonate today.

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