Rare Dame Laura Knight painting to go under the hammer at Henry Adams Auctioneers

Henry Adams Auctioneers is delighted to announce the upcoming sale of a remarkable and historically significant painting by renowned British artist Dame Laura Knight RA RWS RE RWA PSWA DBE (1877–1970). The painting, titled Dressing (1929), will be auctioned on Thursday, 12th December at Henry Adams Auctioneers in Chichester, with an estimate of £40,000 to £50,000.

This rare oil-on-canvas artwork depicts an intimate domestic scene: a young woman sitting on the edge of a bed, partially dressed, wearing one blue slipper while the other slipper is beneath the bed. Details such as the blue garment draped over the bed and garments hanging on a nearby chair add to the painting's charm. Signed by the artist in the lower right corner, the work measures 50cm by 45cm.

Significantly, Dressing was exhibited at the prestigious Royal Academy Exhibition in 1929 (number 472), further cementing its importance in Laura Knight’s illustrious career.

Research has recently indicated that the model in the painting was Dame Eileen Mayo DBE (1906–1994), a celebrated English artist and designer. Mayo began her career as an artist’s model in the late 1920s when she worked closely with Laura Knight, who was captivated by her ‘unusual looks and magnificent hair like polished brass’. Knight went on to describe Mayo as ‘the loveliest of girls, with bright yellow hair as fine as gold and big dark grey eyes’. Their professional relationship spanned three years, during which Mayo featured in many of Knight’s most celebrated works between 1927 and 1930.

Mayo herself would go on to achieve acclaim across diverse mediums, from woodcuts and lithographs to silk screening and tapestries, evolving from struggling artist’s model to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

‘Dressing’ has an illustrious provenance and exhibition history:

• The Royal Academy Exhibition, 1929 (No. 472)

• Art Gallery, Southport, 1954

• J. Ledger & Son, Old Bond Street, London, July 1955

• Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Penzance, Cornwall in its exhibition, ‘Laura Knight: A Celebration’, from May to September 2021.

Nick Hall, Director at Henry Adams Auctioneers, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming auction, describing the piece as “a fab, rare and rather valuable painting.” He added, “Laura Knight’s works, particularly those tied to important models like Eileen Mayo, are an absolute treasure. This painting certainly displays Knight’s artistic brilliance but it also tells a story of resilience and creativity through Mayo’s own journey. It’s wonderful to be bringing such a significant artwork under the hammer.”

For further information about the auction, please contact Henry Adams Auctioneers.

Auction Details:

•Date: Thursday 12th December 2024

• Location: Henry Adams Auctioneers or online 

• Estimate: £40,000–£50,000