Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Mutrie, Martha Darley
MUTRIE, MARTHA DARLEY (1824–1885), flower-painter, elder daughter of Robert Mutrie, a native of Rothesay in Bute, who had settled in Manchester in the cotton trade, was born at Ardwick, then a suburb of Manchester, on 26 Aug. 1824. She studied from 1844 to 1846 in the private classes of the Manchester School of Design, then under the direction of George Wallis, and afterwards in his private art school. She exhibited for some years at the Royal Manchester Institution, and in 1853 sent her first contribution, 'Fruit,' to the exhibition of the Royal Academy. In 1854 she settled in London, and sent a picture of 'Spring Flowers' to the Royal Academy, where she afterwards exhibited annually until 1878. Her pictures of 'Geraniums' and 'Primulas' in the exhibition of 1856 attracted the notice of John Ruskin, who mentioned them with praise in his 'Notes on some of the Principal Pictures in the Royal Academy.' She also contributed to the Art Treasures Exhibition held at Manchester in 1857, and to several international exhibitions, both at home and abroad. A 'Group of Camellias' is in the South Kensington Museum. She died at 36 Palace Gardens Terrace, Kensington, on 30 Dec. 1885, and was buried in Brompton cemetery.
Annie Feray Mutrie (1826-1893), younger sister of the above, was born at Ardwick on 6 March 1826, and also studied at the Manchester School of Design and under George Wallis. She first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1851, when she sent a picture of 'Fruit,' which was followed in 1852 by two pictures of 'Fruit and Flowers,' and in 1853 by 'Flowers.' She removed with her sister to London in 1854, and in 1855 exhibited at the Royal Academy 'Azaleas' and 'Orchids,' which were highly praised by John Ruskin for their 'very lovely, pure, and yet unobtrusive colour.' She continued to exhibit almost annually until 1882, some of her best works being 'Roses' and 'Orchids' in 1856, 'Autumn Flowers' in 1857, 'Reynard's Glove ' in 1858, ' Where the Bee sucks ' in 1860, ' York and Lancaster' in 1861, 'Autumn' in 1863, ' The Balcony ' in 1871, ' My First Bouquet ' in 1874, 'Farewell, Summer,' in 1875, ' The Evening Primrose ' in 1876, and ' Wild Flowers of South America ' in 1877. She also exhibited at the Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition of 1857, at the British Institution, and elsewhere. A 'Group of Cactus, &c.,' is in the South Kensington Museum. She died at 26 Lower Rock Gardens, Brghton, on 28 Sept. 1893, and was interred in Brompton cemetery.
[Athenæum, 1886 i. 75, 1893 ii. 496; Royal Academy Exhibition Catalogues, 1851-82 ; Catalogue of the National Gallery of British Art at South Kensington, 1893; information from Frederick Bower, esq.]