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During the 18th century being an artist was seen as man’s work. Men were trained as apprentices with masters. Women did not have the same opportunities. Their creativity was limited to the home doing needle work and watercolours. These were considered ‘crafts’ rather than ‘art’. We are told the Industrial Revolution meant women’s art work could be used when making manufactured goods.

Anna Maria Garthwaite had over 800 of her designs used on fine silks worn by the upper classes. We see shots of her patterns, watercolours and finished textiles. She turned her floral watercolours in to technical templates that were used to produce patterned textiles on an industrial scale. She became the most famous silk designer of her time both in the UK and America. Rich and important women wore her silks. Even though she was a success, her work was still seen as ‘craft’ and not as ‘art’.