Miss Constance Frederica Gordon-Cumming Paintings

Constance Frederica Gordon-Cumming was a British travel writer, painter, and intrepid explorer born on May 26, 1837, in Altyre, Moray, Scotland. She was part of the influential Gordon-Cumming family and was the daughter of Sir William Gordon Gordon-Cumming, 2nd Baronet, and his wife, Elizabeth Maria (née Campbell) Cumming. She grew up in a privileged environment that afforded her a broad education and the opportunity to develop her artistic talents.

From an early age, Constance showed a keen interest in art and travel, and these passions would define her life's work. She never married, which was somewhat unusual for women of her social standing at the time. Instead, she focused on her art and her adventures, which took her to far-flung destinations around the world.

Gordon-Cumming was particularly known for her travels in the Pacific, especially in Hawaii and Fiji, as well as in China, where she spent a considerable amount of time. She documented her observations and experiences in a series of travelogues, which were well-received for their vivid descriptions and insights into the cultures and places she visited. Her written works include 'At Home in Fiji' (1881), 'A Lady's Cruise in a French Man-of-War' (1882), and 'Wanderings in China' (1886), among others.

In addition to her writing, Gordon-Cumming was an accomplished painter, particularly noted for her watercolors. She often painted scenes from her travels, capturing the landscapes, flora, and peoples she encountered. Her works were exhibited in London and Scotland, and she held several solo exhibitions during her lifetime. She also used her art to raise awareness and funds for various causes, such as supporting a leper colony in Hawaii.

Constance Frederica Gordon-Cumming continued to travel and write well into her later years. She died on September 4, 1924, in Scotland. Her legacy lives on through her paintings and her travel literature, which provide a unique and personal perspective on the world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.