Seven lively and affectionate letters from a pioneer in British 20th century art written to a lifelong friend, accompanied by a small portrait watercolour depicting Pauline Konody in their art school days in Nottingham. Knight writes warmly and sympathetically to Konody, sharing her excitement at big commissions including her work on a big portrait of the Duchess of Rutland which allowed her to live at Haddon Hall in Derbyshire.
Four of the letters to ‘my dear dear friend Pauline’ date from the early 1930s as Knight suggests putting her up for the Royal Watercolour Society and apologises for slow correspondence: ‘I was away from home painting some children.... which is an absorbing and nerve wracking work’ (1st Aug 1933) Her most interesting letter is written on Haddon Hall, Derbyshire headed paper: ‘I am painting a big portrait of the Duchess of Rutland... staying in this wonderful house among these fabulously beautiful and thrilling people... the portrait is a full length with dog, so if will take me a few weeks’. Knight goes on to exult in the architecture and furnishings of Haddon Hall: ‘to be able to handle such tapestries.. to eat in Banqueting Halls and above all to have as a studio Queen Elizabeth’s old bed chamber’ (8th September, 1933). (The painting now hangs in the Rutland family seat, Belvoir Castle.) The two post-war letters from 1950 concern plans for an exhibition of Konody’s work which Knight had promised to open - see invitations - and then cancelled at a few days notice: ‘I am more distressed than I can say... All success with the exhibition!!!’ Finally a pencilled letter of condolence following the death of Konody’s father. Accompanying the collection is a beautiful watercolour portrait of a young and pensive Pauline Konody by Laura Knight (8x10.5cm). Provenance: Pauline Konody and by descent
The British artist Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970) was born in Derbyshire, educated at Nottingham Art School and became famous for her depiction of clowns and ballet dancers as well as the first woman to be a full member of the Royal Academy. Konody was a lifelong friend of Knight who found success as a watercolour artist in her own right.
