Sunday, August 29, 2010

Henrietta Rae (Mrs Ernest Normand) - The Garland



Price Realized £8,963

signed 'H. Rae.' (lower left)
oil on canvas
15 1/8 x 13¼ in. (38.4 x 33.6 cm.)


This picture is also known as 'Passiflora', from the passion flowers that adorn the idealized Greek beauty around her neck. Henrietta Rae shared a studio with her husband Ernest Normand, whom she met at the Royal Academy Schools, at 3, The Studios, Holland Park Road. Leighton was a neighbour, and gave frequent advice. Rae later recalled 'His criticisms, though severe, and at times almost scathing, always left me with the feeling that he expected me some day to do good work'. Rae was a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy and started her career with the distinction of being the first woman to be admitted to Heatherley's School of Art.

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