A new exhibition of work by one of the most popular and pioneering artists of the 20th century is coming to the Laing Art Gallery from the National Portrait Gallery in London. Laura Knight Portraits opens on Saturday 2 November and is made up of 30 outstanding portraits by Dame Laura Knight (1877–1970).

The exhibition brings together some of the works inspired by ballet and theatre which Knight became the most well known for, alongside a number of works from private collections which have never been publicly exhibited until this exhibition.

Julie Milne, Chief Curator of Art Galleries at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, said: “Not only is this an exhibition which is packed with stunningly beautiful portraits but it also reflects Laura Knight’s importance in gaining recognition for women in the arts: she was the first female artist to have a retrospective of her work shown the Royal Academy and she was also one of only three female war artists who travelled abroad during the Second World War.”

Key works in the exhibition include a 1930 work called Ballet Girl and Dressmaker which was commissioned by American industrialist Earl Hoover. It was shown at the Royal Academy before becoming part of Hoover’s private collection in Chicago where it has remained, not being exhibited publicly for more than 80 years.

Also on show will be a number of portraits produced during Knight’s time as a war artist in the Second World War. These include Take Off, showing a crew of a Sterling Bomber preparing for a mission and also Knight’s large painting depicting the Nuremberg Trial, which she attended in the capacity of War Correspondent in 1946, observing proceedings from the a Press viewing box. Preparatory sketches and the diary Knight kept during this period will also be on display.

Before 1907, Knight lived in the artists' colony at Staithes in Yorkshire, along with her husband, the artist Harold Knight. The couple later moved to Newlyn in Cornwall and became a part of the Newlyn School of artists. Newlyn was renowned for its quality of light and plentiful models in the form of the local fishing communities. The earliest portrait in the exhibition dates from 1913 and was painted during her time in Cornwall. Entitled Self Portrait, it shows the artist with a nude model, fellow artist Ella Naper.

Laura Knight continued to paint into the 1960s, securing her reputation as one of the most celebrated artists of her time.

Laing Art Gallery
New Bridge Street
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8AG United Kingdom
Ph. +44 (0)19 12327734
info@laingartgallery.org.uk
www.laingartgallery.org.uk

Opening hours
Tuesday - Saturday from 10am to 5pm
Sunday from 2pm to 5pm

Related images

  1. Self Portrait by Dame Laura Knight, 1913. National Portrait Gallery, London. © Reproduced with permission of The Estate of Dame Laura Knight DBE RA 2013. All Rights Reserved
  2. Lubov Tchernicheva by Dame Laura Knight, 1921. Private collection: courtesy of Liss Fine Art © Reproduced with permission of The Estate of Dame Laura Knight DBE RA 2013. All Rights Reserved
  3. Ballet Girl and Dressmaker by Dame Laura Knight, 1930. Collection of Miriam U. Hoover and the Late H. Earl Hoover © Reproduced with permission of The Estate of Dame Laura Knight DBE RA 2013. All Rights Reserved
  4. Joan Rhodes by Dame Laura Knight, 1955. Royal Academy of Arts, London, © Reproduced with permission of The Estate of Dame Laura Knight DBE RA 2013. All Rights Reserved
  5. Chloe by Dame Laura Knight, 1927. Christie's. © Reproduced with permission of The Estate of Dame Laura Knight DBE RA 2013. All Rights Reserved
  6. Ethel Bartlett by Dame Laura Knight, 1926. Sefton MBC Leisure Services Department, Arts and Cultural Services, Atkinson Art Gallery © Reproduced with permission of The Estate of Dame Laura Knight DBE RA 2013. All Rights Reserved