Biography
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Presentation: Framed
Pencil, 11 x 15 3/8 ins. (28 x 39 cms.)
Provenance: Winifred Knights' own collection; John Monnington, the artist's son
Exhibited: possibly Jane, pencil drawing, Royal Academy, 1920 (1098)
In 1918, Arnold Mason enrolled at the Slade where he became a good friend of Knights. Knights was staying with Mason at his studio The Old Mill, Ludlow, in September 1920, when she received news that she had won the Rome Scholarship. Prior to leaving for Rome, Mason and Knights became engaged (see photo). Although in 1924 Knights married fellow Rome Scholar Tom Monnington, the friendship with Mason lasted throughout their lives. In 1947 Mason exhibited a posthumous portrait at the Royal Academy, The Late Winifred Knights, (350). This outstanding pencil portrait by Mason was one which Knights retained throughout her life. A slightly earlier portrait of Knights by Mason is in the Queen's Collection (Royal Library Windsor, 23047).
Biography
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Presentation: Framed
Pencil, 9E X 7A ins. (25 X 18 cms.)
Provenance: Winifred Knights; thence by descent
Winifred Knights was one of the Slade's most striking beauties. Fellow Slade-trained artists Mason, Gill and Monnington all fell under her spell. This portrait by Mason is likely to date from August 1921 when - as Knight's fiancé - he visited her at the end of her first year as a Rome Scholar.
In a letter dated 10th August Knights refers to Mason's staying with her at Anticoli Corrado: 'Arnold put all his sketches on the wall today. He has over 30 most of them beauties .. I have bought a lovely coral necklace a beauty.'
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