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Lot Essay
Adelaide-born painter Bessie Davidson's first art teacher was Margaret Preston. In 1904 the pair travelled to Europe to further their artistic ambitions. Davidson travelled widely for the next three years, spending time in France, Spain, Morocco and Russia. She returned to Australia in 1907 and set up a studio and school with Margaret Preston. By 1910 however, she had once again become restless and in that year departed for France, which was to become her home for the rest of her life.
Apart from her distinguished artistic career, Bessie Davidson also led an adventurous life throughout the wars, serving as a nurse in France in an infectious diseases hospital during the Great War, and later becoming matron of a cholera hospital. In 1931 she was made a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur by the French Government for her contribution in France to Art and Humanity, an honour that has rarely been awarded to women.
Davidson's oeuvre is dominated by still-lifes, portraits and landscapes. While her subject matter remained consistent, the disparity of styles evident throughout her body of work clearly demonstrates her willingness to explore new techniques and artistic influences.
Penelope Little has suggested that Still Life with Blossoms and Books may have been painted in one of the country houses in France to which Davidson was a frequent visitor. The work was most probably painted in the late 1920s to early 1930s, for as Little has commented: "She was really getting into her stride then, and it seems - with its supple and confident handling and the exuberant bunch of possibly wild roses and full colours - to reflect this intensely productive and happy period of her life."
We are grateful to Penelope Little, author of "A Studio in Montparnasse - The Life and Art of Bessie Davidson' for her assistance in cataloguing this work.
Apart from her distinguished artistic career, Bessie Davidson also led an adventurous life throughout the wars, serving as a nurse in France in an infectious diseases hospital during the Great War, and later becoming matron of a cholera hospital. In 1931 she was made a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur by the French Government for her contribution in France to Art and Humanity, an honour that has rarely been awarded to women.
Davidson's oeuvre is dominated by still-lifes, portraits and landscapes. While her subject matter remained consistent, the disparity of styles evident throughout her body of work clearly demonstrates her willingness to explore new techniques and artistic influences.
Penelope Little has suggested that Still Life with Blossoms and Books may have been painted in one of the country houses in France to which Davidson was a frequent visitor. The work was most probably painted in the late 1920s to early 1930s, for as Little has commented: "She was really getting into her stride then, and it seems - with its supple and confident handling and the exuberant bunch of possibly wild roses and full colours - to reflect this intensely productive and happy period of her life."
We are grateful to Penelope Little, author of "A Studio in Montparnasse - The Life and Art of Bessie Davidson' for her assistance in cataloguing this work.