Dorothy Hepworth (1894-1978) - c.1950 Watercolour Meadows

Description

A fine watercolour painting by the British artist Dorothy Hepworth. The scene depicts a vibrant landscape scene with trees and houses in the distance. This work illustrates the artist's proficiency in the subject and medium, through her use of colour and brushwork. Unsigned. There are two labels on the reverse inscribed with the artist's name, date and title. One of the labels is from the Bloomsbury workshop. Well-presented in a washline card mount and in a distressed gilt effect frame. On watercolour paper.

Condition

In fine condition overall, with slight discolouration and minor surface marks. Very small scuffs to the frame.

Size

25 x 36.7cm (9.8" x 14.4")
Framed Size: 42.8 x 53cm (16.9" x 20.9")

Artist Biography

Dorothy Hepworth (1894-1978) was a painter, the lifelong friend and companion of the painter Patricia Preece, whom she befriended at the Slade School of Fine Art. While studying there she first showed at RA and in 1918–19 graduating with first-class honours. With Preece she set up a studio in London, and spent four years with her in Paris, where Hepworth studied at Atelier Colarossi. After returning to England in 1925 they rented accommodation in the west of England and in 1927 settled in Cookham, Berkshire, Stanley Spencer’s home town. There she resided with Patricia Preece until she died, even during Preece’s strange marriage to Spencer, which Hepworth vehemently sought to discourage. Most of the paintings allegedly by Patricia Preece are now known to be by Dorothy Hepworth, especially the later work. In fact Preece achieved something of a reputation during the 1930’s as an artist of quality, based on exhibiting under her own name the paintings and drawings executed by Dorothy Hepworth. Dorothy Hepworth did exhibit under her own name at the Royal Academy, Lefevre Gallery, New English Art Club and at the Leger Galleries. A studio sale at Christie’s South Kensington in 1984 comprised 500 paintings and over 1,500 drawings from Hepworth’s studio. Included were still lifes, figure studies and landscapes in and around Cookham.