About this objectMargaret Thomas was born in Croydon but her family emigrated to Australia in 1852. She returned to England in 1867 before studying in Rome and Paris. She was so successful as a portrait artist that she was able to retire and spend her time travelling, painting and writing with her partner Henrietta Pilkington. They both settled in Letchworth Garden City in their later years.
Margaret and Henrietta travelled across Palestine and Syria in 1895 and 1896, publishing a book "Two years in Palestine and Syria" in 1900.
