People might recognise the artist #MOliverRae as an etcher/engraver, but few would know that this is an alias or pseudonym. Mabel Oliver (1868-1956) was born in Jesus Lane, Cambridge, and later studied at the Slade School for Art (1888-1890) in London. Although best known for her engravings ( a number of I have) today, she was a fine portrait artist in pastels and a watercolourist producing rural and coastal scenes. Her use of a pseudonym seems to stem from the disregard of female artists by dealers, and the public at large for many did indeed consider M Oliver Rae to be a male artist. After her marriage to Luther Parker, Mabel continued to use her ‘nom de plum’ for her engravings but signed her paintings and drawings Mabel Parker, M Parker or MP. She turned to watercolour painting later in her career producing evocative scenes from the Brecklands with their distinctive gnarled Scots pines.

This beautiful watercolour, which I acquired this past week, shows Codson Hill, which is found just off the Mildenhall to Thetford Road. A great use of colour and a fine perspective show this place as it truly was almost 100 years ago. A place I have driven by many times.