Location: Mapledurham, Berkshire, UK
Subject: Portrait
Medium: Oils
Date: 1933
Signature: Knighton-Hammond
Dimensions: 59.5 cm x 49 cm
The Gardener’s Wife, a Mrs Dutfield, appears a little awkward as she poses for her portrait on a sunny day. The artist loved painting portraits of people with character and the sitter has it in abundance and Knighton-Hammond conveys human presence rather than just artist process. The portrait was painted outdoors and her hat shades her eyes from the sun which is coming from her left. She has a rugged complexion and at this stage of her life, she appears to have few teeth. The impasto applied oil paint provides texture to the clothing. The foliage in the background is a riot of brushwork but to good effect.
The portrait was painted at Mapledurham in 1933 but not exhibited until 1947 at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.