Constance Anne Parker (1921-2016)
| Artist Name | Constance Anne Parker (1921-2016) |
|---|---|
| Title | Seated Woman |
| Description | This superb British oil painting is by well respected and much sought after female artist Constance Anne Parker. It was painted circa 1955 and is of an unclothed black woman. The fact that a woman, not a man, has painted this painting is significant. The female gaze in art represents a change in perspective, offering a profound and empathetic view of the world through women’s eyes. Historically, art and media have been primarily shaped by the male gaze, a perspective that could be seen to objectify women as passive subjects for male consumption. In contrast, the female gaze is about creating works where women are both the creators and subjects of their narratives, in this case a woman painting another woman. The fact that it is a female artist who has painted an unclothed black woman feels a lot more comfortable. It is a three quarter length painting of a woman sat on a chair, leaning back slightly. Her eyes are gazing downwards and the background is a light wall. The brushwork, impasto and details are all superb. A very evocative period portrait of a woman by highly regarded artist, the style is very evocative of the 1950's and owes much to Euan Uglow and William Coldsteam. It is a fantastic painting in excellent condition. Unsigned. |
| Provenance | Estate of the artist. Academy label verso. |
| Medium | Oil on Canvas |
| Size | 30 x 22 inches |
| Frame | Gallery frame 38 inches by 30 inches and in excellent condition |
| Condition | Good condition |
| Biography | Constance Anne Parker (1921-2016). Constance-Anne Parker’s life has always revolved round the arts. While still a girl she won bronze, silver and gold medals regularly each year at the Royal Drawing Society’s exhibition – then known as the Children’s Royal Academy. Later she spent two years at the Polytechnic School of Art taking the Ministry of Education’s Drawing and Painting exams. There followed one year at London University’s Institute of Education studying Pedagogy to complete the Art Teachers Degree (ATD). Constance-Anne later gained a studentship to the Royal Academy Schools and while studying there won four silver and two bronze medals for landscape, portraits and life paintings and drawings. She also won the Landseer, David Murray and Leverhulme Scholarships. During this period she also attended the Polytechnic School for evening classes in Modelling and Carving and won its sculpture medal and scholarship. After leaving the Royal Academy Schools she taught for some years and then in 1958 returned to the Royal Academy as Assistant Librarian; a part-time job giving her more time for her own work. From 1952 to 1976 she was the Hon. Treasurer of the Reynolds Club (the R.A. Schools Old Students Society) and was elected Chairman. She lectured widely on the “History and Work of the Royal Academy” and on George Stubbs. Her book “Mr. Stubbs the Horse Painter” was published in 1971. In 1974 she was appointed Librarian of the Royal Academy, the first woman to become an Officer of that institution. She exhibited widely in both London and the provinces, especially at the Royal Academy (R.A.), The Royal Society of British Artists (R.B.A.), Royal Society of Portrait Painters (R.P.), and The New English Art Club (N.E.A.C.), and had her first one-man exhibition of her Sculpture at the Belgrave Gallery in London in 1977. |
| Price | £4600 |
