George Spencer Watson ROI, ARA, RA (1869-1934)

My Lady of the Rose - Portrait of Hilda, the Artist's Wife.

This superb British exhibited portrait oil painting is by noted artist George Spencer Watson. The influence of Lord Frederick Leighton and the Italian Renaissance can easily be seen. Entitled My Lady of the Rose, the sitter is his much loved wife, Hilda Gardiner. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy London in 1911 and has been handed down through the family. Watson also painted Hilda's two sisters, Elsie and Lillian and the family likeness is apparent. Known affectionately as 'Ginger', Hilda was a classical violinist trained in Europe. As a dancer and mime artist, Hilda was heavily influenced by the free form Greek style of Loie Fuller and Isadora Duncan. Her passion for dancing continued until the end of her life. She regularly organised and took part in performances both in London and later in the theatre that she built at Dunshay Manor, the Spencer Watsons's home on the Isle of Purbeck. The symbolic title for the portrait 'My Lady of the Rose' reflects the artist's deep reverence for Hilda. The symbolism of the Rose as a symbol of love but also of new beginnings, an appropriate theme for the portrait painted in 1909, to celebrate his marriage to the sitter. The figures in the background perhaps reflect both the sitter and artist's interest in mythology and the arts. A winged figure fires an arrow which strikes another figure on whose belt the artist has signed his initials. The vibrant blues and reds and the fantastic brushwork and delicate detail in Hilda's face make this a stunning, deeply personal portrait of a much loved wife. Signed GSW upper right. 

Provenance. The Royal Academy, 1911 no.368 entitled My Lady of the Rose. 
                     Bermondsey Settlement Picture Exhibition, 1913, label verso.
                     Dresden exhibition label verso.
                     William Harold Gardiner, ; Joan Gardiner (in Australia); Robin Tassell, of Dovehouse Stanwick, Northants; 
                     Richard Thompson & Mary Spencer Watson; Thence by descent.

It's actually quite hard to pick a Painting of the Week, especially the first one, when we have so many lovely paintings to choose from. But this gorgeous romatic portrait of Watson's wife Hilda, My Lady of the Rose, is rather special. The colours zing off the canvas and the details are just superb. We also have the portraits mentioned above of Hilda's sisters, Lilian and Elsie on our website. Why not grab a coffee, have a break and have a browse through the website galleries. 

https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/watson-roi-ara-ra