BAWDEN (Edward, 1903-1989, Painter, Illustrator and Graphic Artist)

Two Fine Autograph Letters Signed ‘Edward’ to Michael ROTHENSTEIN (1908-1993, Printmaker, Painter and Art Teacher) concerning John Norris WOOD (1930-2015, Natural History Illustrator) the first says that Clive GARDINER (1891-1960, poster designer and illustrator and Principal of Goldsmiths between 1929 and 1958) “has agreed to accept John Wood for Goldsmiths simply upon my word for for it that he is a student worth having... I told John that I thought he ought to get to town next week to see both Camberwell & Goldsmiths for himself, then he could decide which school he liked best. I feel I have interfered enough in J.W.'s affairs - he can now settle the rest for himself, the only thing I wanted to make sure about was that he wld be able to get into an art school for certain. John will ring you up on Wednesday to let you know whether he has permission to go up to London soon. Well, I don’t think I need to give you a letter of introduction to Clive Gardiner because it is unlikely & quite unnecessary for you to to to New Cross with an armful of paintings in the event of John’s rejection at Camberwell...”, 2 sides 8vo., the second on an airletter form from Canada is replying to a letter about Wood saying that “a few days before I had yr letter I received two air mail letters from Charlotte [Bawden's wife] whc were mainly devoted to the same subject : how troublesome J.W. was being both to you & to her, and of his incapacity to look after his own interests. My immediate reaction was one of extreme annoyance & as a consequence I wrote him a very blunt letter to point out that in the first place he ought to accept admission to Camberwell as being in the nature of a privilege, that it was not for him to question whatever Daniels thought of his work but to accept criticism for its own worth, especially when given by a man who had had years of experience. Secondly, I told that if he were prepared to work hard he would learn a great deal at any Art School whether or not he agreed with the point of view of the instructors... if he doesn't get himself into an Art School by the end of September I intend to give up trying to help him... my exasperation with J.W. was increased by the reflection that he had some talent & made no use of it, whereas many of the students here who don't seem to possess any talent at all do achieve much more than he has ever done simply because of their enthusiasm to learn & their willingness to work hard. I have never before had a class that has achieved so much. The other day I counted all the finished paintings which had been hung on the walls : there were ninety, the result of five week’s work for 15 to 17 students, several of whom came to me for only half the day. It is true we had one neurotic creature, a mad middle-aged Englishwoman, who thought she was entitled to a studio & model to herself, but she faded out mercifully on her own accord...”, 3 sides form with autograph address on the front, Banff School of Fine Art, Alberta, 15th August

Bawden was guest instructor for the Summers of 1949/50 at the Banff School of Fine Art, Canada

Item Date:  1949

Stock No:  40583      £350

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire