Laura Knight

Synopsis

LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM MB BERGER PRIZE FOR BRITISH ART HISTORY 2022 A major survey of Dame Laura Knight, first female Royal Academician and popular British artist of the 20th century. Laura Knight (1877-1970) was one of the most famous and popular English artists of the twentieth century. She was the first woman to have a solo exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, in 1965. In the following decades, her realist style of painting fell out of fashion and her work become largely overlooked. Anew generation has rediscovered her work, finding a contemporary resonance in her depictions of women at work, of people from marginalized communities and her contributions as a war artist. This beautifully illustrated book, which accompanied a major exhibition at MK Gallery, provides an overview of Knight's illustrious career: from her training at Nottingham Art School at the age of 13 and her time in North Yorkshire and Cornwall, to her visits to traveller communities and a segregated American hospital. It also features her circus, ballet and theatre scenes, paintings of women during the war and her late paintings of nature. The selection of over 160 works combines celebrated paintings with less known graphic and design works, including ceramics, jewellery and costumes that reflect the artist's enduring interest in the everyday activities of people from all walks of life.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Early Years

* Laura Knight's childhood in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, and her early exposure to the arts through her father's photography
* Her education at Nottingham School of Art and the Royal Academy Schools
* Early influences, including the work of Whistler and Sickert
* Example: "Arrival at the Beach" (1910)

Chapter 2: Making a Name

* Knight's move to Cornwall in 1913 and her association with the Newlyn School of painting
* Her depiction of rural life and scenes of the seaside
* Critical acclaim and commercial success
* Example: "The Jugglers" (1915)

Chapter 3: The War Years

* Knight's work as a war artist during World War I
* Her groundbreaking paintings of women in industry and on the home front
* The importance of her portrayal of the female experience
* Example: "A Canadian Lumber Yard" (1918)

Chapter 4: Post-War Period

* Knight's continued exploration of social themes, including poverty and unemployment
* Her depiction of the industrial landscape and its impact on people's lives
* The emergence of her more experimental and abstract style
* Example: "The Factory" (1929)

Chapter 5: Later Life and Legacy

* Knight's return to painting rural scenes in her later years
* Her retrospective exhibitions and recognition as a significant British artist
* The influence of her work on subsequent generations of painters
* Example: "The Gypsies" (1959)

Real Examples:

"Arrival at the Beach" (1910): This painting depicts a group of women arriving at a beach, their colorful dresses and parasols contrasting with the gray sand. It reflects Knight's early style, characterized by its bright palette and depiction of everyday life.

"The Jugglers" (1915): This painting shows three jugglers performing on a beach. The figures are depicted in motion, capturing the excitement and skill of their performance. It is a classic example of Knight's portrayal of rural life and seaside scenes.

"A Canadian Lumber Yard" (1918): This war-time painting depicts women working in a lumber yard. Knight's emphasis on the female experience and the harsh conditions of industrial labor is evident in this powerful and evocative work.

"The Factory" (1929): This painting reflects Knight's more experimental style in the post-war period. It depicts a factory interior, with the machinery and workers reduced to abstract forms. It showcases her exploration of industrial themes and her departure from traditional realism.

"The Gypsies" (1959): This late painting depicts a group of gypsies on a beach. It reflects Knight's return to painting rural scenes and her continued interest in capturing the lives of marginalized people.