Women Floral Painters Through the Centuries

At its October 7 meeting, the Andover Garden Club will present art historian Martha Chiarchiaro, who will discuss various female artists whose artwork featuring flowers and other natural subjects spans centuries.

Representing the 17th and early 18th centuries, Maria Sibylla Merian and Rachel Ruysch helped broaden the knowledge of flora and fauna. Mary Moser, court painter to Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III of England, was a late-18th-century floral painter. The work of Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt illustrate the floral paintings of women artists of the 19th century, while the floral paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe highlight the 20th century.

About the Speaker

For more than 30 years, Martha Chiarchiaro has brought history to life through the art of various eras. She earned a Masters’ degree in the history of art from Williams College and provides a variety of art-history presentations at the Worcester Art Museum, for WISE (the Worcester Institute for Senior Education), libraries, garden clubs, senior centers, and other organizations. As noted on her Seeing History website (www.seeinghistory.org), her presentations provide an in-depth look at the life and times of people through their art.

When, Where, and How

The event will be held at South Church (41 Central Street, Andover) on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. It will begin at 10:00 AM with social time and refreshments, followed by a brief business meeting. The presentation will start at approximately 11:00 AM.

The public is encouraged to take advantage of this program. A $10 donation is requested of nonmembers.

About the Andover Garden Club

Founded in 1927, the Andover Garden Club is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that encourages the study and practice of horticulture, landscape design, and floral design; aids in the beautification of the town of Andover; and helps protect and conserve natural resources. A member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc., and National Garden Clubs, Inc., the club provides both financial and hands-on support to a variety of municipal, educational, and environmental organizations throughout the region.

The Andover Garden Club welcomes new members, and information about joining is available from AGC membership cochairs Mary Ann Marshall (mamarshall15@gmail.com, 978-474-0641) and Barbara Reichter (bfrdesigns@comcast.net, 978-996-0203).