The outstanding draughtsmanship of Wilhelmina Barns Graham is captured in a small sculpture, part of The Michael Snow Collection of 20th Century British, St Ives and Newlyn art works.
Wilhelmina Barns Graham (FS18/321) who was working alongside Ben Nicholson (FS18/317, FS18/318) and John Wells (FS18/320) was an outstanding draughtsman but has been much too easily regarded as a ‘follower’ rather than the major force in 20th Century British art that she rightly is. The 2001 accolade of a major monograph written by Lynne Green has helped restore Barns Graham to her rightful place in the centre of the development of modern art in Britain. Born in Scotland in 1912 she studied at Edinburgh College of Art and was recommended a trip to St Ives by her tutor, Herbert Williams, who said ‘interesting things were happening there’. Here she met among others Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth and Naum Gabo.
Barns Graham carved and painted wood relief sculpture (FS18/321)
The small carved and painted wood relief sculpture by Barns Graham in the fine art sale on 24 April 2013 demonstrates an understanding and control of line, space and balance which empowers it with an unassuming strength and gravitas. The sculpture is part of the Michael Snow collection of 20th Century British, St Ives and Newlyn art works and has an estimate of £1,200-£1,800
