Lot 34

A Collection of Works by Betty Swanwick, R.A. (1915-1989) Betty Swanwick was a painter, illustrator, designer and writer of novelettes. She studied at Goldsmith's College under Edward Bawden who became a life-long friend. While still a student she fulfilled advertising commissions for London Transport, as well as Bendick's and Barrow's, competing with E McKnight Kauffer and her teachers, Edward Bawden and Clive Gardiner. From 1965, her unique visionary watercolours are in the tradition of William Blake and Samuel Palmer. They are often compared to Stanley Spencer, though she refuted that she was directly influenced by him. In her watercolours she developed a distinctive world reflecting her dreams and experiences with a strong spiritual component. Behind day-to-day events she saw images and concepts which she used to symbolise a more meaningful understanding of life.

Betty Swanwick, R.A. (1915-1989)

The Walk to the Paradise Garden

Details

Betty Swanwick, R.A. (1915-1989)
The Walk to the Paradise Garden
signed and dated 'Betty Swanwick 80' (middle left)
pencil and watercolour
19 x 16 in. (48.3 x 40.6 cm.)
Executed in 1981.

Provenance

Purchased by the present owner at the 1981 exhibition.

Literature

B. Murphy, The Art of Betty Swanwick R.A., Oxford, 1989, p. 12, illustrated.
P. Rossmore, Betty Swanwick: Artist and Visionary, London, 2008, p. 86, illustrated.

Exhibited

London, Royal Academy, 1981, no. 168.
London, Royal Academy, Betty Swanwick R.A. A Narrative Process, August - November 2001, no. 30.
London, Chris Beetles Gallery, Betty Swanwick: Artist and Visionary, November 2008.

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Lot Essay

Swanwick often uses different areas of the same composition to suggest a divide between subjective and objective realities. As with the present work, the background points to an intricate inner life and happiness. Large suns and moons dominate Swanwick's work from the mid 70s and correlate to the new luminosity that she was seeking to achieve through watercolour at this time.

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