In August 1931 Frances Hodgkins decided to leave the bustling city of London for a quieter life in the country and consequently moved to ‘The Nook’, Bodinnick-by-Fowey in Cornwall. In a letter to Dorothy Selby, Frances wrote, ‘The Nook is neither of the “Rookery” or the “Cosy” sort but suits my needs – no other fool could stand it.’ Frances painted the surrounding countryside relentlessly, as she feared her contract with galleries in London might be terminated because of the ever-worsening depression, caused by the stock market crash in 1929. Her hard work paid off and in February 1932 she exhibited with the Seven and Five Society and later that year with the Salford Gallery near Manchester, and also with Zwemmer, Tooth’s & Wertheim galleries in London.
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.
