Patty Prather Thum: Beauty of Flowers

From delicate roses to tranquil landscapes, Patty Prather Thum captured the quiet beauty of nature while helping pave the way for women artists at the turn of the 20th century.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1853, Thum discovered her artistic talent early in life. Her mother gave Thum her first drawing lessons, sparking her interest in art. Often visiting her grandparent’s rural home, she developed a lifelong appreciation for flowers, gardens and the natural world—subjects that would become central to her work.

At 16 years old, Thum left home to study at Vassar College, one of the nation’s first colleges dedicated to providing women with educations equaling those offered to men. There, she began not only her artistic training but also developed an appreciation for the growing movement for women’s rights and suffrage. She later continued her studies at the Art Students League of New York, learning from prominent American artists before returning to Louisville in the mid-1870s to establish her art career.

For more than 35 years, Thum maintained a studio in Louisville, where she painted landscapes, portraits and especially flowers—particularly roses, which became one of her signature subjects. Beyond painting, she taught art, illustrated books, magazines and newspapers, and served as an art critic for the Louisville Herald.

Thum was also a community leader. She served as president of the Louisville Art League, belonged to the Louisville Women’s Club and publicly supported women’s suffrage. Her achievements earned national recognition, including an honorable mention for her illustrations in Robbie and Annie: A Child’s Story at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.