Painting of the Week - Glyn Morgan
Portrait of Nellie - Millie Hayes (1916-2001) Artist and Housekeeper at Benton End for Cedric Morris
This superb British Post Impressionist fifties portrait oil painting on board is by noted artist Glyn Morgan. Morgan was a noted Welsh artist, initially taught by Ceri Richards in Cardiff and later a Benton End student (the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing) where he was greatly influenced by Cedric Morris who proved to be his main source of inspiration throughout his artistic career. Painted in 1956 it is a head and shoulders portrait of a lady called Nellie. She is actually Millie Hayes nee Gomersall (1916-2001) but often called Nellie. Originally from Stafford, she was educated at Malvern School of Art. Whilst working in London she met Cedric Morris in a cafe in Percy Street. She became a model of Morris and later studied under him at Benton End. He painted her portrait in 1936 which was displayed at the Minories, Colchester. She exhibited at Ipswich Art Club in 1941. Millie married Ronald Hayes in 1942 and Cedric Morris painted her portrait for a second time in 1964. Her portrait was also painted by artist Elvic Steele. Millie became the house keeper for 20 years for Cedric Morris and his partner Lett Hayes at their house in Benton End. At some point prior to this she had spent many years in a mental institution, simply because she had suffered from post natal depression. She was a beneficiary of his will, being left enough money to buy her own home. She died in 2001 and is buried with them both at Hadley cemetery, Suffolk.
Beth Chatto recalls Millie in Benton End Remembered published in 2002.
"Slender as a flower on a stem, with huge dark expressive eyes and expressive hands, she devoted twenty years of her life, helping to run the household, caring for two handsome, naughty, darling old men who coloured our lives until eventually the light of each was blown out".
Nellie is wearing a sweet floral peach coloured dress with a similar coloured background. The bold, confident brushwork is absolutely fantastic. This is a fine example of Morgan's work and a superb Post Impressionist 1950's portrait oil painting of a significant woman behind the scenes at Benton End and an artist in her own right.
Provenance. Artist's details and title inscribed on board verso.
Royal Academy label 1956 label verso. Exhibited as Nellie.
Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/glyn-morgan/portrait-of-nellie