Original ink and watercolour
The Fairy Tale Lady Original ink and watercolour
1921.
An original ink and water-colour painting on vellum. 25.5cm x 41cm. Signed and dated in the lower right hand corner. In very good original condition, slightest of tanning to the cross hatched areas at the borders. No fading.
A much larger and brighter image than usually encountered among the work of Annie French. The clarity of this image is striking compared to much of French's work, yet it retains the intricate detail which characterises her paintings. The central character is an Art Nouveau maiden wearing a billowing and highly decorative dress. Her audience of young children, each captivated by her storytelling, wear costumes ranging from elaborate brocades to plain cotton shifts. The figures are seated upon a lawn of intricate and brightly coloured flowers, the background with light cross hatching and French's trade mark highlights of gold.
One of the Glasgow Girls, Annie French was born in Glasgow and studied at Glasgow School of Art, under the influential teacher Francis Newberry. French excelled as an illustrator and developed an exquisite linear technique. Informed by both Art Nouveau and the Pre-Raphaelites, French's delicate, patterned style worked well for the illustration of fairy tales and poems. She continued working in this manner throughout her life and took over from Jessie M King at Glasgow School of Art as teacher of ceramic decoration from 1908-12.
Stock ID: 39900
£30,000.00
