Portraits of Cambridge – a Town in Transition is an exhibition taking place at the Museum of Cambridge from 13 June – 5 October featuring work by four artists, two of whom are significant former members of Cambridge Drawing Society.

The paintings of Mary Charlotte (‘Polly’) Greene will feature prominently in the show and a lovely collection of small watercolours by Marion Seward will also be shown, probably the the first time they have been exhibited publicly.  At least two of Greene’s pictures are newly restored – when they were last seen at an exhibition in 2018 they were in a very poor condition and it’ll be good to see them in their restored condition.

Polly Greene was President of the CDS from 1926-29.  She studied at the Royal Academy Schools and at the Academie Collarossi in Paris.  She taught art to Gwen Raverat (nee Darwin) and they remained lifelong associates.  Polly worked in both oil and watercolour.  Some of the pictures shown in June will be part of a large group of paintings she made of Cambridge showing many streets and yards shortly before they were demolished in the early 20th century.

Marion Seward was Secretary of the CDS for many years.  In 1905, she drew up the Society’s original constitution. She was the wife of the Master of Downing, Sir Alfred Seward.

For more information, including opening times, see: www.museumofcambridge.org.uk/