_Rachel Ruysch_ (Dutch: 1664-1750).
One of the few female painters represented in the Gallery.
Rachel Ruysch was the daughter of a professor of anatomy, and
began to study art at an early age. She married Julian Pool,
a portrait-painter, and had a large family. She continued the
practice of her art until she reached an advanced age, always
signing her pictures with her maiden name. Notwithstanding
her industry, the number of her pictures is somewhat small,
and it was jokingly said in her time that "she produced more
children than pictures." The labour she devoted to her work was
astonishing; two pictures alone are said to have occupied her
for seven years; and these she bestowed on one of her daughters
as a marriage portion. She was admirable in her manner of
grouping as well as in pencilling; each flower is relieved by
its neighbour, and all are kept in perfect harmony. She was
fond of introducing among her flowers the insects peculiar to
them (notice the butterfly in 1446); and these she depicted
with microscopic accuracy. "Had her colouring been less cold,
she would certainly have equalled her illustrious rival, Van
Huysum" (Bryan's _Dictionary of Painters_, and Havard's _Dutch
School_, p. 268).