Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

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Born in 1633, Mary Beale was one of the first women to work professionally as an artist in England.

Despite being well known in her time, it wasn't until almost 300 years after her death that she had her first solo exhibition.

We've commemorated her with a National Blue Plaque at her former home in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

The National Blue Plaque Scheme is supported by Ancestry, Delancey Real Estate, The Earls Court Development Company, and the Britford Bridge Trust.