Hilda Elizabeth Kidman

(British, 1891 - 1980)

Self Portrait of the Artist in Her Studio at Ramerick Manor, Hertfordshire, c.1927   *SOLD*

signed 'H Kidman' (lower right), further signed and titled to the reverse

oil on canvas

44 x 34 cm.

in a period frame

Painted at Hilda Kidman’s parents’ home of Ramerick Manor, in Hertfordshire, this youthful self-portrait of the artist wearing 1920s ‘flapper-style’ clothing, was likely executed before her marriage to Maynard Tomson in July 1927. The light green hue of the light streaming in through the window creates a compelling back-lit silhouette of the young artist, who stands elegantly poised at the easel, holding a paint brush in a manner akin to a conductor’s baton.

Kidman shared a studio with Charles Ginner (1878 – 1952) and Harold Gilman (1876 – 1919) in 1914 and the vivid oil-colours of the present work and their application in short strokes of thick impasto, certainly display an affinity with their post-Impressionist style. Gilman was one of the British artists most influenced by the work of Vincent Van Gogh (1853 – 1890), who came to Britain at the age of 20 and stayed for 3 years. Gilman applied his bold use of colours and expressive brushwork to English motifs. He would hang his paintings next to reproductions of Van Gogh’s work, including a self-portrait, which he would rather endearingly salute. Van Gogh left a clear artistic legacy in Britain and one can see his influence on Kidman’s painting style, which either developed independently, or came via Gilman, during time spent in his studio.

Kidman first attended Hitchin Grammar School, before joining Frank Calderon’s School of Painting in Baker Street, London. She then went to the Slade School of Art, studying under Professor Henry Tonks, along with fellow students Dora Carrington, C.W.R Nevinson, Mark Gertler, Paul Nash and Augustus John. Specialising in portraiture, perhaps her most important commission was for two portraits of the children of Michael Bowes-Lyons, 17th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. Kidman achieved considerable success in her own lifetime, exhibiting at the Paris Salon and repeatedly at the Royal Academy in 1911, 1927, 1928, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1941, 1942 and 1968. However, like many female artists, her artistic achievements and reputation have suffered from an entrenched bias towards male artists and, as a result, Hilda Kidman’s works have not received the art historical appraisal they deserve.