With a distinctive style and an impressive vision, Hannah Maynard was a photographer ahead of her time. Born Hannah Hatherly in Bude, Cornwall in 1834, she unleashed a lifelong quest for creative expression and left a profound impact on the world of art. One of the leading pioneers of experimental photography, her oeuvre is captivating with portrait work and masterful photomontages, often augmented with the stunning technique of multiple exposures. Her talent for staging people in such a way that they appear like statues carved out of stone made her a legend in her craft.

Her journey began in Canada, where she emigrated in 1852 with her husband Richard Maynard, an apprentice shoemaker. Hannah learned the basics of photography as her husband followed the Fraser River gold rush in British Columbia. Upon his return in 1863, Richard discovered that Hannah had already established herself as a photographer and was willing to teach him the principles of her art. Thus began a harmonious partnership in which Hannah primarily perfected her portraiture and was responsible for darkroom matters and marketing the studio, while Richard found his passion in outdoor photography. It was a symbiotic relationship that laid the foundation for a unique artistic vision that is reflected in their fine art prints. Maynard also created a remarkable series titled "Gems of British Columbia" in which she artistically experimented with photomontages. This involved assembling up to 22,000 individual photographs each year into stunning compositions. Her works were praised for their innovative techniques and special expression that captured and highlighted the individual personalities of her models. By producing fine art prints of her work, we continue to give recognition to her visionary work and give people the opportunity to admire her unique creations in their full glory.

But Maynard also experienced personal tragedies. After losing her daughter Lillian when she was only 16, she turned to spirituality and began creating photographs as memorials to those who had died. This emotional intensity is reflected in her work, making them more than just beautiful images - they are emotional witnesses, reflecting the highs and lows of the human condition. In her later years, Maynard was the official photographer for the Victoria Police Department and continued her studio portraiture. Her contribution to the arts, however, remained consistent until her death in 1918. Her legacy lives on, whether through stage plays, films depicting her life and work, or our fine art prints that preserve her fascinating work for eternity. Hannah Maynard's art combined technique and emotion in a way that makes her distinctive and unforgettable. Her legacy is an inspiration to us, and we are proud to honor and share her work through our high-quality art prints.