A Polymathic Approach to History

Rita Greer does not fit the mold of a singular specialist. Her career is a collection of disparate, highly technical disciplines that eventually converged into a focused historical practice. Before she was a painter, she was a goldsmith, a graphic designer, and a food scientist. This background in material science and precise design informs the way she approaches her current work as a history painter. She does not merely depict the past; she reconstructs it through the lens of someone who understands the chemical and structural realities of the objects and environments she portrays.

Her technical versatility is not a distraction but a foundation. The precision required for goldsmithing and the analytical rigor of food science—where she famously invented the Trufree brand and specific formulas for exclusion diet flours—provide a level of detail that many purely fine arts practitioners lack. This is an artist who understands the composition of matter, whether it is the luster of enamel or the specific texture of a specialized flour. Her work is grounded in the physical world.

The Robert Hooke Project

Since her retirement in 2003, Greer has dedicated her creative energy to a specific, singular mission: the restoration of Robert Hooke's historical profile. This is not a mere hobby; it is a systematic attempt to rectify a historical oversight. Through a series of paintings, she has worked to provide a visual presence for a man who has often been sidelined in the popular imagination. Her project seeks to secure his legacy through physical memorials in locations like St. Paul's Cathedral and Monument Square in the City of London.

Her output regarding Hooke is diverse, moving between portraiture and environmental studies. Her catalog includes:

• The Fossil Hunter (2005)
• The Coffee House (2008)
• The Scientists
• The New City
• Robert Hooke memorial portrait

These works are not just aesthetic exercises. They are tools for historical reclamation. By painting Hooke as a child on the Isle of Wight or depicting the social atmosphere of a coffee house, she builds a narrative through visual evidence. She uses oil on board to achieve a specific density, a medium that suits the weight of the history she is attempting to re-establish.

A Career of Practical Application

Greer’s influence extends far beyond the canvas. Her life has been defined by the application of knowledge to solve specific problems. This is evident in her extensive bibliography, which includes twenty-three books on nutrition and health designed for people with special dietary needs. She has also published works on art, crafts, and lettering, demonstrating a commitment to the mechanics of communication and design. Her ability to translate complex scientific or technical information into accessible formats—whether through a book or a lecture—is a recurring theme in her professional life.

She has moved between the laboratory, the design studio, and the exhibition hall with a directness that is rare. From broadcasting on radio and television to holding major exhibitions of jewelry and enamels in London and Oxford, Greer has always operated at the intersection of utility and art. Her work remains a study in how a highly trained, multi-disciplinary mind can eventually settle into a singular, focused historical pursuit.