Lucy Harwood

(Belstead 1893-1973 Upper Layham)

Daisy Field, Suffolk, c.1940-1942

oil on unlined canvas

signed on the back of the canvas ‘LUCY HARWOOD’

33 x 50 cm.

in its original frame

Harwood studied at the Slade, and was technically an extraordinarily gifted artist – but after a botched operation she lost the use of her right side and had to learn to paint with her left. Showing great spirit, undeterred, in 1940 she went to study with her friend, Cedric Morris, at his home and art school at Benton End, in Hadleigh. Her paintings from this period onwards have such fluidity and freedom, it’s as though the true artist was unshackled by her ‘plight’. It is interesting to note she later became teacher and mentor to none other than demonstrably free, Maggi Hambling.

This landscape dates from the 1940s, from Harwood’s Hadleigh days, and is in its original, period frame.

The first ever major retrospective of Lucy Harwood’s work, in collaboration with the artist’s family, entitled Lucy Harwood: “Bold Impressions”, was held at Firstsite, Colchester, 2 December 2023 – 14 April 2024.