In the early 1900s, Frances Hodgkins took it upon herself to further her career in Europe and Britain by holding painting classes and regular exhibitions of her work. In 1908 she became one of the first female teachers at the prestigious Académie Colarossi in Paris. Hodgkins toured around Normandy and Picardy with her group of students, sketching in the villages of Concarneau, Le Havre and St Valery-sur-Somme. It was on these teaching trips that Hodgkins met and befriended some of her most loyal companions, one of the most significant of which was Jane Saunders. Hodgkins first met Saunders and her partner, Hannah Ritchie, in 1911 at Concarneau and friends such as this pair, continually supported her throughout her life.
The Greyhound Inn sits below the remains of the Outer Bailey wall of Henry the First’s Corfe Castle between the Outer Gatehouse and the Horseshoe Tower which were added between 1280 and 1285. It was originally a 17th century coaching inn called the Black Dog and its porch bears the inscription I.C. 1733 this being the initials of the then owner, John Cockram.
1930s, Bradford-on-Tone, FOLLOWING FRANCES
Today is the anniversary of Frances Hodgkins’ birthday on April 28th 1869.
We are pleased to recommend an excellent exhibition Frances Hodgkins: Between Croft and Corfe curated by Lauren Gutsell at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery which will be on display until July 23rd.
