Maria Spilsbury: A Pioneer of Evangelical Art Maria Spilsbury (1776 – 1820) stands as a remarkable figure in British art history, particularly within the burgeoning evangelical movement of the late Georgian and early Victorian eras. Born into a family steeped in intellectual curiosity—her father, Jonathan Spilsbury, was a respected tutor and friend to influential artists like Joshua Reynolds and Charles Wesley—Spilsbury’s artistic journey defied conventional expectations for women of her time. Despite lacking formal academic training, she achieved considerable renown through sheer talent and…