Throughout the twentieth century, British female illustrators contributed substantially to the country's cultural and artistic heritage, although they have often been overlooked. In fields ranging from activism to natural science, they used drawing and illustration to tell stories, challenge norms and capture the intricacies of their worlds. These artists combined technical skill with boundless creativity, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.

Illustration refers to creating imagery that explains, complements or enhances a text or concept, often with a specific narrative or purpose. While drawing is a broader term that includes all forms of mark-making, illustration is distinctive for its storytelling quality and its functionality within a broader context, such as a book, poster or scientific documentation. These distinctions are crucial to understanding the legacy of female illustrators in twentieth-century Britain, as their work often blurred the lines between fine art and applied art, creating works that were both beautiful and purposeful.

Sylvia Pankhurst

Sylvia Pankhurst was a powerful force for social change, using her artistic talents to champion the suffragette movement. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, she infused her artwork with political urgency, creating arresting posters, pamphlets and banners to advocate for women's rights. Beyond her famous political work, she documented working women's lives through sensitive sketches of factory workers and labourers, bringing attention to their harsh conditions.

Her works employ dynamic lines and bold contrasts to convey the movement's energy and resilience. Even in a chalk self-portrait, we see that energy portrayed through decisive strokes and an intense gaze. Pankhurst's illustrations remain a testament to the enduring power of art as a tool for activism.

Evelyn Gibbs

Evelyn Gibbs was a highly skilled draughtswoman, particularly known for her sensitive and precise portraiture and her educational illustrations. After winning the Rome Scholarship in Engraving, she published The Teaching of Art in Schools (1934), which revolutionised art education methods. As a war artist during the Second World War, she produced evocative drawings that documented the lives of evacuees and the challenges of wartime Britain.

Women's Voluntary Services Clothing Exchange

Gibbs was also commissioned to create drawings illustrating the science of blood transfusion, a lifesaving advancement during the conflict. Her work pays tribute to the vital contributions of women in laboratories, depicting them diligently working at their benches. Gibbs' detailed illustrations highlight the often-overlooked labour of women during the war effort.

Hannah Frank

Hannah Frank was a Glasgow-based Jewish artist whose career spanned nearly eight decades. Known as the 'Artist of the Night', she created much of her celebrated black-and-white work during the evenings while balancing a career as a teacher. She studied at the Glasgow School of Art and the University of Glasgow, where she developed her distinctive Art Nouveau-influenced style.

In Thoughts from the Visions of the Night

Frank's works often explore introspection and spirituality, drawing viewers into deeply contemplative worlds. In Thoughts from the Visions of the Night exemplifies her masterful technique in creating fluid patterns with profound emotional resonance. The drawing's title, inspired by the Bible, adds a layer of philosophical depth to its portrayal of solitude and reflection. Frank's ability to imbue her work with universal themes ensures her legacy endures.

Beatrix Potter

Beatrix Potter is celebrated for her enchanting children's book illustrations, but her life and work offer even more layers of interest. Born into a wealthy London family, Potter developed her artistic skills through careful observation of her pets and gardens. Her upbringing provided her with access to education and resources that fueled her artistic and scientific pursuits.

Her most famous creation, The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902), began as a letter to a sick child and grew into a beloved series. These stories not only delight children but also showcase Potter's meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture the charm of nature. Lesser known are her scientific drawings, particularly her detailed studies of plants and fungi.

Potter made significant contributions to mycology through her observations and paintings of fungi specimens, though her gender prevented her from presenting her research to the scientific community. Potter's works demonstrate how illustration can bridge the worlds of art and natural science, combining precision with beauty to create enduring cultural artefacts.

Jessie Marion King

Jessie Marion King emerged as a leading figure in the Glasgow Style movement. Trained at the Glasgow School of Art, she became one of its first woman teachers. King's distinctive style merged Celtic Revival motifs with Art Nouveau elegance, creating intricate black-and-white designs that adorned books, postcards and fabric.

Her pen, ink and silver on vellum illustration The White Lady exemplifies her sophisticated use of flowing lines and decorative patterns. King's work helped establish Glasgow as a centre of innovative book design, and her influence spread through her teaching and commercial work across Europe. Her illustrations continue to inspire contemporary artists with their elegance and inventiveness.

Gwen Raverat

Gwen Raverat, granddaughter of Charles Darwin, was a trailblazer in the art of wood engraving. Her work combined a deep respect for traditional craftsmanship with a modern sensibility. Raverat's illustrations often depicted rural life, landscapes and family scenes, imbuing them with a sense of intimacy and nostalgia. Her wood engravings demonstrate the meticulous planning and precision required in this medium, while her choice of everyday subjects reflects a keen observational eye and a deep connection to her environment.

She authored and illustrated the memoir Period Piece: A Cambridge Childhood, which remains a classic of illustrated literature. She used line drawings to illustrate the book, interweaving them amongst the text and demonstrating her great skill in creating images that bring narrative to life.

Women and illustration: a cultural legacy

Illustration offered women unique opportunities in an era when many artistic fields remained male-dominated. Book illustration, commercial art and scientific drawing were considered more 'acceptable' pursuits for women, allowing them to develop professional careers while working from home studios. Yet these artists transformed these supposedly feminine genres into powerful vehicles for artistic innovation, social commentary and scientific advancement.

Their enduring influence stems not just from their technical mastery but also from their ability to use illustration to bridge the gap between fine art and practical communication, and between personal vision and public discourse. Through their work, they challenged the boundaries of their medium and expanded the possibilities for future generations of artists.

Ronald Gross, writer and editor

This content was funded by the Bridget Riley Art Foundation