Biography

Anne Nasmyth (née Hartop) from Woodburn, Yorkshire, was the daughter of an engineer. In 1838, at the age of 21, she met James Nasmyth, an engineer and fellow artist, whom she went on to marry in 1840. The two would be together for the rest of their lives, and Anne regularly accompanied James on business and research trips, travelling across the country and internationally. They visited Ireland, taking a trip to see the Giant’s Causeway, and also to Italy where Anne sketched Mount Vesuvius. Nasmyth’s drawings and paintings often focus on botanical and plant life, and she was said to spend much time in the garden and greenhouse at their house in Kent.