Ancilla with an Orange

Kunstner

Dod Procter

Født i Hampstead, United Kingdom

Early Life and Education

Born: Doris Margaret Shaw, 21 April 1890, Hampstead, United Kingdom

Died: 31 July 1972

Nationality: English

Her father was a ship's doctor and her mother a former art student.

The family moved to Tavistock, Cornwall in 1907.

She enrolled at the School of Painting run by Elizabeth Forbes and Stanhope Forbes in Newlyn at age 15.

Met Laura Knight, who became a lifelong friend and influence.

Studied at Atelier Colarossi in Paris alongside Ernest Procter.

Artistic Development and Influences

Influenced by Impressionism and Post-Impressionism movements.

Mentored by Elizabeth Forbes and Stanhope Forbes.

Inspired by artists like Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Paul Cézanne.

Developed a distinctive style characterized by sensual portraits of women and Cornish landscapes.

Early works included illustrated "Nature Notes" sent to her father at sea.

Major Works and Achievements

Morning (1927): Her most famous work, a portrait of a fisherman's daughter that caused a sensation and was bought by the Daily Mail for the Tate Gallery.

Early Morning: A smaller version of "Morning" held by the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

Series of simplified, monumental images of young women (c. 1922).

Commissioned to decorate the Kokine Palace in Rangoon with her husband Ernest Procter.

Exhibited at the Royal Academy on numerous occasions.

Awarded "Picture of the Year" at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 1927 for “Morning”.

Later Life and Legacy

After Ernest's death in 1935, she travelled extensively to the United States, Canada, Jamaica, and Africa.

Became President of St Ives Society of Artists (STISA) in 1966.

Member of several artists organizations including the Newlyn School.

Buried next to her husband at St Hilary Church, Cornwall.

Her work is recognized for its evocative portrayal of Cornish life and its contribution to early twentieth-century British art.

Historical Significance

A prominent figure in the Newlyn School of artists.

Known for her unique vision and style that captured a sense of modernity.

Her portrait "Morning" is considered a significant work of 20th-century British art, praised for its “sensuous but sombre style” and depiction of Cornish light.

Contributed to the development of portraiture in Britain during the early 20th century.

Museum

Royal West of England Academy

Udstillet i Bristol, United Kingdom

A Beacon of British Art: The Soul of Bristol’s Royal West of England Academy

Nestled within the elegant enclave of Bristol’s Clifton district, the

Royal West of England Academy

(RWA) stands as a profound testament to over 175 years of artistic devotion. To step through its doors is to enter a sanctuary where the weight of British tradition meets the vibrant pulse of contemporary innovation. Founded in 1844 through the indomitable vision of

Ellen Sharples

, the Academy emerged from the Bristol Society of Artists, born from a desire to capture the picturesque landscapes of the region. This institution was never merely a gallery; it was a movement, bolstered by the early support of luminaries such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Prince Albert, transforming a local collective into one of the United Kingdom’s most enduring regional bastions of fine art.

The architectural grandeur of the RWA serves as a magnificent prelude to the treasures held within. Housed in a spectacular Grade II* listed building, the Academy’s facade commands attention with its imposing presence and classical grace. As one approaches, the eye is drawn to Corinthian pilasters and shell-heavened niches, where statues of legendary sculptors like

John Flaxman

and

Sir Joshua Reynolds

keep watch over the entrance. The subtle carvings of the Three Graces lend an ethereal quality to the stone, hinting at the beauty awaiting inside. Upon crossing the threshold, visitors are greeted by a world of refined elegance; colored marble floors gleam under soft light, and a meticulously crafted replica of the

Parthenon Frieze

adorns the walls, grounding the space in the timeless ideals of classical antiquity.

The collection itself is a breathtaking tapestry of British art history, offering a journey through shifting aesthetics and profound cultural movements. The RWA celebrates the atmospheric depictions of the

Newlyn School

, which captured the rugged, salt-sprayed essence of Cornish fishing life, alongside the abstract, light-drenched energy of the

St Ives School

. Within these walls, the delicate floral contemplations of

Elizabeth Blackadder

exist in harmony with the spirited, personality-filled still lifes of

Mary Fedden

. For the collector or the designer seeking narrative depth, the works of

Carel Weight

offer psychological complexity, while the landscapes of

Bernard Dunstan

provide a window into evocative, storied terrains. This diversity ensures that the Academy remains a living archive, where the legacy of the Bloomsbury Group breathes alongside modern acrylic explorations like those of

Alastair Milne Michie

.

Beyond its permanent holdings, the RWA thrives as a dynamic center for creative dialogue and education. Its renowned Open Exhibitions serve as a vital stage where seasoned professionals and emerging talents converge, fostering a unique connection between artists and the public. This spirit of engagement extends to the

RWA Drawing School

, which continues the Academy's long-standing commitment to the mastery of craft and skill development. Whether one is drawn by the historical resonance of its halls, the technical brilliance of its canvases, or the opportunity to witness the next generation of British masters, the Royal West of England Academy remains an essential destination—a place where every brushstroke tells a story and every visitor finds inspiration.