Dorothy Hepworth (1894-1978) - Mid 20th Century Oil A Good Book

Description

A wonderful interior study by the British artist Dorothy Hepworth. The artist has captured a woman engrossed in her book as she sits slumped in a comfy-looking chair. The warm purple hues used in the composition evoke a feeling of early evening as the sunsets, creating a sumptuous and relaxing atmosphere. Well presented in a card mount and dark wood frame with gilt detail. Unsigned. On unstretched canvas.

Condition

Overall the condition is very good. Minor flakes of paint loss but overall the paint is stable. Some signs of discolouration. Minor marks to the frame. Inspection under UV light reveals no restoration.

Size

41 x 35cm (16.1" x 13.8")

Collection Information

This fascinating collection by the artist Dorothy Hepworth (1894-1978), includes highly expressive portraits, accomplished landscape scenes and fine still life compositions. Acquired as part of a single portfolio from The Canterbury Auction Galleries, the provenance of these works can be traced to dealer-collector-researcher Michael Dickens.

Following his death, a collection of paintings from his private estate came up at Canterbury Auction Galleries, which included works by Hepworth, although many were either signed or inscribed by Patricia Preece. Most of the works we are presenting are unsigned, however, some do include signatures/monograms by 'Patricia Preece' and 'Dorothy Hepworth'.

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Artist Biography

Dorothy Hepworth (1894-1978) was an artist and the lifelong friend and companion of the painter Patricia Preece, whom she befriended at the Slade School of Fine Art. While studying there, Hepworth first showed at the RA, and in 1918-19, she graduated with first-class honours. With Preece, she set up a studio in London, later spending 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. The couple resided there until Patricia Preece passed away in 1966, 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 life works, figure studies and landscapes in and around Cookham.