A Maderian Lady's Fern Paintings

摘要

The close relationship between England and Madeira started way back in 1662 when Charles II married Portugal's Catherine of Braganza. The marriage dowry almost, but not quite, included the ceding of Madeira to England, but it did include other rightsand privileges for the English in relation to Madeira, including important trading rights. Since then, British troops were garrisoned in Madeira to help defend against the French, with the inevitable result of some inter-breeding. The English have been heavily involved in the production and trading of the famous Madeiran wine, and many English families set up home on the Island, perhaps the most famous being the Blandys. It was against this background that a Mrs. Jane Wallas Penfold painted and had published an album of "Madeira Flowers, Fruits and Ferns" in 1845.