Anne, Nee Foldstone Mee Paintings

Anne Mee, née Foldsone, was an English miniaturist and portrait painter active during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Born in 1775 in London to a family of artists, Anne's father, John Foldsone, was also a painter who exhibited at the Royal Academy, and from him, she received her early artistic training. Her talent became apparent at a young age, and she began her professional career while still in her teens.

Anne Foldsone married Joseph Mee, a lawyer, in 1793, and they had several children together. Her marriage marked the beginning of her career as a professional artist, and she became known as Mrs. Anne Mee. The majority of her work comprised watercolor miniatures, a popular art form of the time, especially for personal keepsakes and as tokens of affection among the gentry and nobility. Her clientele included many notable figures of the era, and she eventually caught the attention of the royal family.

Her association with the royal court significantly boosted her career. Mee received a semi-official appointment as Miniature Painter to the Princesses, painting the daughters of King George III. The prestige of this position led to numerous commissions from the aristocracy, and Mee's portraits were celebrated for their delicate and flattering representation of her subjects.

Anne Mee's work was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts from 1804 to 1837, showcasing her skills to a broader audience and cementing her reputation as a leading miniaturist of her time. Her miniatures are characterized by their detailed and graceful portrayal of her subjects, often set against a plain background that enhances the sitter's features and attire.

Her death in 1851 marked the end of an era for the art of miniature painting, which was beginning to decline with the advent of photography. However, her legacy continued through her works, which remain a testament to her skill and the elegance of the Regency and Georgian periods. Today, Anne Mee's portraits are part of the collections of various museums and galleries, offering a glimpse into the faces and fashions of the British upper classes during her lifetime.