THE OLIVE GATHERERS / THE PLAIN OF LOMBARDY.

Photos: Jonathan Russell.

  • Title(s): The Olive Gatherers (Manchester Art Gallery; 1923 exhibition catalogue); “also known as The Plain of Lombardy” (notice by painting while on display Manchester Art Gallery, 2018-2019); Olive Gatherers – Siena (Women’s Exhibition, Earl’s Court, 1900).
  • Description: “Wide panoramic view across the plains of Lombardy towards a hazy mountain range on the horizon. Olive groves extend in the foreground to the left and right, small figures of olive gatherers at work in foreground to left of centre. The landscape is lilac, blue and purple with a white mist lying low across the mountains in the background” (Manchester Art Gallery).
  • Media: Oil on canvas (Manchester Art Gallery).
  • Dimensions: “frame: 6.5 cm (depth); 49 cm (height); 82.2 cm (width) / canvas: 38.5 cm (height); 71 cm (width)” Oil on canvas (Manchester Art Gallery).
  • Signature/date/other text: “artist’s inscription : : brc : artist’s name, date : Annie L. Swynnerton 1889” according to Manchester Art Gallery and artuk.org, but not visible on exposed canvas while on display.
  • History:
    • 1889 – Signed and dated “Annie L. Swynnerton 1889” according to Manchester Art Gallery and artuk.org, but not visible on exposed canvas while on display.
    • 1900 – Exhibited Woman’s Exhibition, Earl’s Court, no. 1453, “25 0 0” (catalogue).
    • 1910 – Exhibited Manchester Art Gallery – Autumn Exhibition (Manchester Art Gallery).
    • 1923 – Exhibited Manchester Art Gallery – Paintings by Mrs. Swynnerton, A.R.A., no. 21, “Painted at Siena. / Lent by Mrs George Garrett” (catalogue).
    • 1936 – “Gift of Fanny Rollo Wilkinson 1936” (notice by painting while on display Manchester Art Gallery, 2018-2019; Manchester Art Gallery).
    • 2018-2019 – Exhibited Manchester Art Gallery, 23 Feb 2018 to 6 Jan 2019; also known as ‘The Plain of Lombardy.’
  • Location: Manchester Art Gallery.

* Fanny Rollo Wilkinson (1855-1951) was a Manchester-born professional gardener and friend of suffragist Millicent Garrett Fawcett. In 1884 she became Britain’s first female professional gardener after completing an eighteen month course at the Crystal Palace School of Landscape Gardening and Practical Horticulture, until then an entirely male establishment. She later became principle of Swanley Horticultural College and during the First World War helped organise the Women’s National Land Service Corps.

Page last updated 9 May 2025.