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An illustration of Vriesea guttata, a species of bromeliad native to Brazil.The Bromeliads. 1969. Plate 15;

Artist Biography

Margaret Ursula Mee: A Life Dedicated to Art and Conservation

Early Life and Education

Margaret Ursula Brown (later Mee) was born on May 22, 1909, in Whitehill, United Kingdom.
She attended Dr Challoner's Grammar School, Amersham, followed by The School of Art, Science and Commerce, Watford.
Early political awareness developed during her time in Berlin in 1933 witnessing the rise of Nazism.
During World War II, she worked as a draughtswoman at the de Havilland aircraft factory.
Post-war, she studied art at St Martin's School of Art and Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts, receiving a national diploma in painting and design in 1950.

Move to Brazil and Botanical Beginnings

In 1952, Mee moved to São Paulo, Brazil, to teach art at the British School.
She began her career as a botanical artist for São Paulo's Instituto de Botanica in 1958.
From 1964 onwards, she extensively explored the Amazonas state, documenting its unique plant life.
Her expeditions resulted in an impressive collection of over 400 folios of gouache illustrations, alongside numerous sketchbooks and diaries.

Artistic Style and Influences

Mee’s artistic style is characterized by meticulous detail and vibrant color, particularly evident in her gouache paintings.
Her work blends scientific accuracy with artistic expression, capturing the beauty and complexity of Amazonian flora.
While not explicitly tied to a specific art movement, her detailed botanical illustrations align with traditions of scientific illustration and natural history painting.
She was driven by a deep passion for documenting plants, some previously unknown to science.

Major Achievements and Publications

Published Flowers of the Brazilian Forests in 1968, showcasing her early Amazonian work.
Her illustrations gained international recognition through exhibitions in Washington D.C. and London.
She actively campaigned against deforestation and large-scale mining in the Amazon region, raising awareness globally.
Published In Search of Flowers of the Amazon Forests in 1988, shortly before her death.

Recognition and Legacy

Awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1976 for services to Brazilian botany.
Became a Fellow of the Linnean Society in 1986.
Received honorary citizenship of Rio de Janeiro in 1975 and the Brazilian Order of Cruzeiro do Sul in 1979.
The Margaret Mee Amazon Trust was founded posthumously to support research and conservation efforts, though it later closed.
Recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with inclusion in its Global 500 Roll of Honour in 1990.
Her illustrations are now largely held within the Kew Gardens collection.

Historical Significance

Margaret Ursula Mee was a pioneering figure who combined artistic talent with environmental activism.
She played a crucial role in bringing attention to the ecological importance of the Amazon rainforest and the threats it faced.
Her detailed botanical illustrations serve as valuable scientific records and enduring works of art, inspiring generations of artists and conservationists.

margaret ursula mee

margaret ursula mee

1909 - 1988 , United Kingdom

Quick Facts

Birth Date: 1909-05-22
Birth Place: Whitehill, United Kingdom
Death Date: 1988-11-30
Movement: Botanical Art, Environmental Art
Name: Margaret Ursula Mee
Nationality: British
Notable Works: Flowers of the Brazilian Forests, Vriesea sceptrum illustrations, Vriesea guttata illustrations

Margaret Ursula Mee: The Full Collection

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Vriesea sceptrum (bromeliad plant)

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