Evelyn De Morgan - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Evelyn De Morgan (1855-1919), born Mary Evelyn Pickering, stands as one of the most enigmatic and technically accomplished artists of the late Pre-Raphaelite movement, whose work seamlessly merged spiritual symbolism with feminist ideals and social commentary. A prodigy who began her artistic training at the age of fifteen, she fought against Victorian conventions by insisting on pursuing a professional career in art, studying at the Slade School of Art where she won numerous awards and quickly established herself as a formidable talent.
The earliest documented works of De Morgan date to the 1870s, emerging during a period of profound social and spiritual upheaval in Victorian England. This era witnessed the rise of the Spiritualist movement, women's suffrage campaigns, and the aesthetic revolution of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood—all of which would deeply influence her artistic vision. Her marriage to ceramicist William De Morgan in 1887 created one of the most intriguing artistic partnerships of the period, their shared interest in spiritualism and social reform manifesting in their respective works.
De Morgan's artistic evolution reveals a fascinating synthesis of classical mythology, Christian symbolism, and contemporary social commentary. Her masterworks, such as "Flora" (1894) and "The Light Shineth in Darkness and the Darkness Comprehendeth it Not" (1906), demonstrate her distinctive use of luminous color and allegorical imagery to explore themes of spiritual transformation, female empowerment, and the triumph of good over evil. Throughout her career, she maintained a rigorous artistic practice, producing over 102 oil paintings and over 300 drawings, despite facing considerable gender-based obstacles in the Victorian art world.
Today, De Morgan's legacy resonates increasingly with contemporary audiences, her work being rediscovered as a powerful precursor to feminist art and spiritual symbolism in modern painting. Her prescient engagement with themes of gender equality, spiritual enlightenment, and social justice continues to inspire scholarly research and artistic interpretation. The De Morgan Foundation, established in 1967, preserves her work and legacy, though many aspects of her personal symbolism and spiritual beliefs remain tantalizingly open to interpretation, inviting new generations to decode the layers of meaning in her mesmerizing canvases.