Born in Bristol, Mary Fedden studied at the Slade School of Fine Art from 1932 until 1936. She later taught at the Royal College of Art from 1958 until 1964. Her works often juxtapose elements in a bold, colourful style that shows the influences of the Scottish Colourists as well as those of Modern artists such as Matisse and Braque. She continues to paint, although her more recent works deal with a more limited tonal range than that in the present watercolour.