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Lot Essay
In the phoney period at the outbreak of World War II before bombing commenced on London, Harold Knight was in Scotland painting a portrait and Laura stayed in Malvern. In Laura's autobiography she states '... to keep myself from going crackers, I painted the nearest thing to hand: the old back garden gate belonging to the hotel, and almost the last rose of summer, anything...no matter what...so long as I didn't stop to think' (The Magic of a Line, p. 273).
It was in this period of time in 1939 that it is believed that this picture was painted. There is a another work called 'Peach Blossom' believed to be painted at the same time that also depicts a cactus on the window sill.
On the death of the artist on 7th July 1970 this work, together with several other unsigned works, was in the artist's studio in Langford Place, London.
This painting will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of the work of Dame Laura Knight currently being prepared by R. John Croft F.C.A., the artist’s great-nephew.
It was in this period of time in 1939 that it is believed that this picture was painted. There is a another work called 'Peach Blossom' believed to be painted at the same time that also depicts a cactus on the window sill.
On the death of the artist on 7th July 1970 this work, together with several other unsigned works, was in the artist's studio in Langford Place, London.
This painting will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of the work of Dame Laura Knight currently being prepared by R. John Croft F.C.A., the artist’s great-nephew.