Mary Lowndes (December 30, 1856 - February 28, 1929) was a distinguished British stained-glass artist, a prominent figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, and a committed
activist in the women’s suffrage movement.Partner Barbara Forbes
Queer Places:
Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
The Glasshouse, 11–12 Lettice Street, London SW6 4EH, UK
St. Mary the Virgin Churchyard, Church Rd, Buxted, Uckfield TN22 4LP, United Kingdom
Mary Lowndes (December 30, 1856 - February 28, 1929) was a distinguished British stained-glass artist, a prominent figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, and a committed
activist in the women’s suffrage movement.
Born in Dorset, she was the daughter of the rector of St Mary's Church in Sturminster Newton. She received her artistic training at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, after which she began a professional career that established her as a major force in the craft of stained glass.
Early in her career, Lowndes designed stained glass and managed her own commissions, collaborating with established firms such as James Powell and Sons and Britton and Gilson. Her professional trajectory shifted significantly in 1897 when she partnered with Alfred J. Drury to found the firm Lowndes & Drury. This partnership culminated in the 1906 creation of The Glass House in Fulham, a purpose-built studio designed by Christopher Whall and Alfred Drury. The Glass House became a vital hub for independent artists, allowing them to collaborate while maintaining the independence to pursue their own commissions. Lowndes was instrumental in teaching and mentoring other female artists, including Wilhelmina Geddes, and her own work was characterized by the bold shapes and rich, vibrant color palettes fostered by her background in stained glass design.
Beyond her artistic achievements, Lowndes was deeply involved in the struggle for women's suffrage. In 1907, she founded the Artists' Suffrage League (ASL), serving as its chair and organizing the production of iconic propaganda, including posters, banners, and postcards used in suffrage demonstrations. Her companion, Barbara Forbes, served as the secretary of the ASL. Lowndes also held a leadership role on the executive committee of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies and contributed to the magazine The Englishwoman.
Lowndes’ life and work have received enduring recognition. She is one of 59 women and men whose names and images are commemorated on the plinth of the statue of Millicent Fawcett, which was unveiled in Parliament Square, London, in 2018. Following her death in 1929, she was buried in Buxted, East Sussex. Her legacy, both as an artist and a suffragist, is preserved through her contributions to the Arts and Crafts movement and her pivotal role in the visual culture of the women's suffrage campaign.
References:
 The Women's Suffrage Movement (Women's and Gender History) 1st Edition by Elizabeth Crawford |
Other references:
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