What an interesting and inspiring woman - this was such a great read. Love her painting style too, so beautiful. "There was beauty in very simple things if one had eyes to see it." - Words to live by!
Great synopsis of that wonderful artist Dame Laura Knight. I read her autobiography many years ago and was so impressed with her dedication to her art and the way she and Harold overcame abject poverty to create their paintings. Great dedication and talent combined.
I enjoyed this, thank you! I did not know about her existence until I read this. The Ballet Girl and the Dressmaker is an incredible work of art. The expression on the face of the ballerina caught my eye immediately.
I’m playing catch up with your previous posts and was thrilled to see this one on Laura Knight.
We’ve coveted a few of her paintings down in The Penlee Gallery over the years and regularly then driven to Lamorna where it’s perfectly possible to sit on the exact place on the cliffs where some of them were painted. Wonderful to imagine Laura carting all her stuff up there and to see that the sea is that same unique colour she uses.
We were treated to a wonderful exhibition of Laura Knight’s paintings in Plymouth a few years ago. Realising this was probably a once in a lifetime opportunity to see so much of her work in one place, and living near enough, we went back over and over again. Each visit would reveal increasing depth to her work and we came to love so many of the paintings you’ve shown here. Ruby Loftus was one of my favourites.
Thank you, Grace. I adore the work of Laura Knight (and Harold, of course), and would love to have seen that exhibition. Putting together the collection for the gallery post was an absolute joy. But difficult deciding which paintings to include. I will definitely be compiling further gallery posts of her work.
I love the way she has slowly established herself in the public eye and wonderful posts like this show the huge breadth of her talent…from clifftop to Big Top and so much inbetween whilst also creating a wonderful social record of the times.
Have you read Summer in February by Jonathan Smith? Although the book is mainly about the love triangle between Munnings, his wife Florence and Gilbert Evans in the Lamorna milieu, Laura Knight features large as a real party animal, full of enthusiasm. I can just imagine it.
Her work really does take the breath away. She was incredible! And, as you say, she produced an important social historical record. I do have the Smith book, but haven’t read it as yet. Oh, to spend just one day with Knight and her friends.
Thank you for this lovely introduction to the life and work of Laura Knight. When I saw her some of her paintings at the Now You See Us exhibition at Tate Britain in June, I was immediately attracted to her work, which was new to me at that time. She's rapidly becoming a favourite artist.
This was a wonderful piece. I hadn’t heard of Laura Knight before (possibly because I’m American?) but I’m so intrigued and will be looking for more information about her, maybe starting with one of her autobiographies. Thank you for this.
An astounding achievement over her life, for a girl who at 15 was left with such a heavy responsibility after the death of her mother! I have many favourites from her paintings. A lovely, interesting account of her life and artistic journey.
What an interesting and inspiring woman - this was such a great read. Love her painting style too, so beautiful. "There was beauty in very simple things if one had eyes to see it." - Words to live by!
Thank you, Charlene. Yes, that is such a wonderful quote. She really was wonderful!
Great synopsis of that wonderful artist Dame Laura Knight. I read her autobiography many years ago and was so impressed with her dedication to her art and the way she and Harold overcame abject poverty to create their paintings. Great dedication and talent combined.
Thank you, Drusilla. I look forward to writing further about her life and work.
I enjoyed this, thank you! I did not know about her existence until I read this. The Ballet Girl and the Dressmaker is an incredible work of art. The expression on the face of the ballerina caught my eye immediately.
Thank you, Niccolo. And thank you again for your lovely post on Notes. It's so appreciated!
I’m playing catch up with your previous posts and was thrilled to see this one on Laura Knight.
We’ve coveted a few of her paintings down in The Penlee Gallery over the years and regularly then driven to Lamorna where it’s perfectly possible to sit on the exact place on the cliffs where some of them were painted. Wonderful to imagine Laura carting all her stuff up there and to see that the sea is that same unique colour she uses.
We were treated to a wonderful exhibition of Laura Knight’s paintings in Plymouth a few years ago. Realising this was probably a once in a lifetime opportunity to see so much of her work in one place, and living near enough, we went back over and over again. Each visit would reveal increasing depth to her work and we came to love so many of the paintings you’ve shown here. Ruby Loftus was one of my favourites.
Thank you, Grace. I adore the work of Laura Knight (and Harold, of course), and would love to have seen that exhibition. Putting together the collection for the gallery post was an absolute joy. But difficult deciding which paintings to include. I will definitely be compiling further gallery posts of her work.
I love the way she has slowly established herself in the public eye and wonderful posts like this show the huge breadth of her talent…from clifftop to Big Top and so much inbetween whilst also creating a wonderful social record of the times.
Have you read Summer in February by Jonathan Smith? Although the book is mainly about the love triangle between Munnings, his wife Florence and Gilbert Evans in the Lamorna milieu, Laura Knight features large as a real party animal, full of enthusiasm. I can just imagine it.
Her work really does take the breath away. She was incredible! And, as you say, she produced an important social historical record. I do have the Smith book, but haven’t read it as yet. Oh, to spend just one day with Knight and her friends.
Thank you for this lovely introduction to the life and work of Laura Knight. When I saw her some of her paintings at the Now You See Us exhibition at Tate Britain in June, I was immediately attracted to her work, which was new to me at that time. She's rapidly becoming a favourite artist.
You’re very welcome, Jeffrey. I love the work of both her and her husband.
A great read this morning, with a fab selection of work to look at. Inspiring really. Thanks
I’m so pleased you enjoyed it, Chris. Thank you.
Thank you for this. I know of her paintings but it never registered me at all. I look forward to delving into her works.
Thank you, Shanti. And for your subscription - it is genuinely appreciated. Happy researching! :)
This was a wonderful piece. I hadn’t heard of Laura Knight before (possibly because I’m American?) but I’m so intrigued and will be looking for more information about her, maybe starting with one of her autobiographies. Thank you for this.
Thank you, Carol. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it! And thank you for your subscription.
Thank you for this piece. She is one of my favourite artists.
Thank you, and for your comment. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. She really was a truly wonderful artist.
An astounding achievement over her life, for a girl who at 15 was left with such a heavy responsibility after the death of her mother! I have many favourites from her paintings. A lovely, interesting account of her life and artistic journey.
Thank you Victoria
Thank you, Dorinda. I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. I certainly loved writing about her.
Thank you, Hannah 🧡
Sadly, it does seem to be a recurrent theme.