York Art Gallery has expanded its nationally significant collection of works by celebrated York-born artist Mary Ellen Best with the purchase of three previously family-owned watercolours, including two charming portraits of her young son.
The artworks were acquired at auction in October by York Museums Trust, which manages the gallery, and will be displayed to the public in 2027 following essential conservation work.
Born in York in 1809, Mary Ellen Best is renowned for her detailed and intimate watercolours depicting everyday life, domestic interiors, street scenes and family life across Yorkshire during the early Victorian era. She lived in the city until 1840 before moving to Germany after her marriage, and today is commemorated with a blue plaque at her former home on Clifton.
The latest acquisitions bring the gallery’s collection of Best’s work to an impressive 20 pieces, further strengthening its position as the leading public collection of the artist’s paintings.
The Newly Acquired Works
The three watercolours offer a fascinating insight into both Best’s artistic development and her personal life:
Frank, Aged 3 Months (1841)
A tender portrait of her infant son, Francis Charles Anthony Sarg, affectionately known as Frank, dressed in a traditional long gown and bib shortly after his birth in December 1840.
Francis Charles Anthony Sarg, Aged 2¾ Years (1843)
A delightful and imaginative portrayal of young Frank at play, pretending to drive a carriage using household furniture as props.
The Holy Family Appearing in a Vision to St Gaetano
An unusual work within Best’s portfolio, this watercolour is a copy after the celebrated Italian painter Giambattista Tiepolo. The piece highlights the artist’s dedication to mastering her craft through studying and reproducing works by the Old Masters.
Preserving an Artistic Legacy
The two portraits of Frank were secured with support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and Art Fund, helping ensure the works remain accessible to the public.
Curators believe the paintings offer a rare and deeply personal glimpse into the life of an artist who overcame the limitations placed on women in the 19th century. Unable to access the formal artistic training available to men at the time, Best developed her skills independently and went on to produce an estimated 1,500 works during her lifetime.
She regularly exhibited her paintings in the 1830s, including at York’s first public art exhibition in 1836, and received commissions from prominent local figures while selling artworks through dealers in London and Manchester.
Today, she is particularly celebrated for her vivid visual record of Yorkshire life, capturing everything from grand country houses and bustling streets to family moments and local characters.
When Can Visitors See the Paintings?
York Museums Trust has confirmed that the three watercolours will go on public display at York Art Gallery once conservation work has been completed. While an exact exhibition date has not yet been announced, visitors can expect to see the pieces during 2027.
The gallery, located in the heart of York, is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
For art lovers and local history enthusiasts alike, these latest acquisitions offer another opportunity to explore the remarkable work of one of York’s most important artistic figures.