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Joan de Bethel (1923-2017) 'Washing Up'

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Joan de Bethel (1923-2017) Washing Up
Signed Bethel and dated 74
Watercolour on white paper
Presented in a new mount

Joan (Burton) was born on November 25 1923, in Brighton. She was an only child she and her parents moved to Greenford, Middlesex just before Joan started school, moving again to Gloucester Place, London, by the time Joan was in her mid-teens.

On leaving school, she was accepted at St Martins School of Art and Design, where her interest in theatrical costume and set design was encouraged and developed. During the war a film of Henry V, starring Laurence Olivier, was championed by Churchill, intended as a morale booster for Britain. Students from St Martins were co-opted to help create the banners and tabards of the fighting crowds, and Joan was one of those involved. The war was a time when home grown talent both in the theatre and ballet flourished, and after the war, the theatre continued to grow in the optimistic days of the early 1950’s. It was a good time to be a designer working in the theatre and was the happiest time of Joan’s life. In 1952 she met David de Bethel, another artist/designer their engagement was announced in The Stage in 1953.

Their daughter Caroline was born in 1955, Joan and David by then working together as a partnership. Their work attracted the attention of the founder of the New Zealand Players – David was a New Zealander – resulting in their moving to New Zealand in 1957 to work with the young theatre company. They returned to London in 1959, but found, on their return, the west end theatre had moved on, and the sort of shows for which they were known were no longer being produced. Looking for an alternative means of income, a prototype of the painted cats, which later would become so well known was produced, with some success.

The very first cats were layered paper over a chicken wire base, soon replaced by moulded papier mache. Wanting their daughter to grow up in the countryside, the family moved to Lewes, and then to Udimore, Sussex, in 1964. The cats were now increasingly in demand made by David , painted by Joan, finally varnished by David, they were sold to outlets in the UK and the USA. During their time in Udimore, Joan became a member of the Rye Society of Artists (RSA), regularly exhibiting and selling her watercolours in their annual exhibition.

David died in 1977 just a few months before his death, he and Joan had approached Rye Pottery to have the cats made in pottery, that could then be painted, thus enabling Joan to continue producing the cats, which she sustained until into the new millennium. Joan moved to Rye in 1981.

Whilst the cats were provided a steady income, her watercolours were her pleasure she continued to exhibit with the RSA, until poor eyesight, and the encroachment of dementia made this an impossibility. The advancement of dementia necessitated a move to Thornwood in Bexhill, where she lived for the last five years of her life. Though her memory of her life with David, and in Rye, was completely lost, she continued to draw, her pleasure in her art continuing to the end of her life.

Source: RYE/NEWS By Caroline Crabtree - October 19, 2017

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CONDITION AND PRESENTATION
In our description, if a picture is shown to be framed then the frame will be included with the sale of the picture. Unless stated otherwise all unframed watercolours, drawings and prints have been mounted onto acid-free conservation board using either Japanese hinging paper or reversible wheat starch past. Unframed and mounted pictures are then wrapped in clear polyester film to protect both the picture and the mount. All conservation work has been carried out by accredited conservators.
Price
£0  UK
$0.00  USA
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 The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 13/NOV/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
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 SOLD
 
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Great care and trouble has been taken to ensure that all details written for every picture are correct and the photos are of sufficient quality so that each item can be viewed in detail. If the purchaser can find a fault (by way of a photograph) as proof of damage in transit that is not present in our promotional photo i.e. a tear in the canvas, broken glass, broken frame, damage to surface of picture, then a full or part refund will be offered back to the purchaser depending on the extent of the damage. This will only apply within 24 hours of signing for the parcel.

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DimensionsPaper: 8 1/8 in x 11 5/16 in. (20.5 cm x 28.8 cm.) Mount: 13 3/8 in x 16 1/8 in. (33.8 cm x 41 cm.) Window: 7 1/2 in x 10 1/4 in. (19 cm x 26.1 cm.) Category Antique Pictures / Engravings / Art > Antique Watercolours Date 1974  1950s Antiques Material Paper Origin English Condition Very good. This watercolour has been cleaned and mounted by an accredited paper conservator Item code as176a664 Status Sold

SellerRadnorshire Fine Arts Ltd

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Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd


Radnorshire Fine Arts LtdPrivate dealer
By appointment only
Powys
Mid Wales

Tel : 01597 272 439

Non UK callers : +44 1597 272 439
 
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Joan de Bethel (1923-2017) 'Washing Up'
 
as176a664
 


 
 






 

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