Size: F10, 55cm × 46cm, 22” x 18” (est.)
Media: Brush, Oil paint on Canvas
Date: Completed September 2nd, 1974
Where: Painted at Fayence, France
Signature: “christine benson 1974”
Currently: Azzapardi household
Nora Azzapardi and her husband Eric were visiting their friends Jane and Ray Lench, who were also very good friends of Christine. So, of course, Christine agreed to do a commissioned portrait of Nora on very short notice. Commissions of this sort really paid the bills. Although Christine may not have been too pleased to be painting in the height of the summer, at least they began early in the morning. Doing the background and other painting in the heat of the afternoon seems to have been a real physical struggle.
Diary Entries
| August 26, 1974 | 9:30 1st sitting Nora Azzapardi. 1¼hrs drawing in. Got likeness after break. Went well. |
| August 27, 1974 | 9:30 AM 2nd Nora. Light too bad to start on face & she’s still too pale fr. UK. 2½hrs completed neck, chest & arm, v. good mornings work! 2½hrs background in PM |
| August 28, 1974 | 9:30 AM 3rd Nora. 2hrs forehead and eyes. ½hr break & too much talking. |
| August 29, 1974 | 9:30 AM 4th Nora. 1½hrs Nose & cheeks. Work slow because trans-posing colour – less pink – more brown. |
| August 30, 1974 | 9:30 AM 5th Nora 3hrs lower half of face, subtle but good work. Eric bought a bottle of Pastis. V. generous. Felt faint in session. 3hrs PM on earring & dress. Was so tired I felt like crying but was better after food & wine. |
| August 31, 1974 | 9:30 AM 6th Nora. V.gd. Finished with sitter. Eric thrilled with it. Thank heavens. Voted huge success with Jane, Ray, Nora & Eric in Callian. All got v. sloshed 2 bottles of champers & 3 of wine. |
| September 1, 1974 | So TIRED! Never got going at all |
| September 2, 1974 | 3hrs finished Nora’s portrait. 21hrs – 12 with model. Collect paintings from Peymeinade, Msr Delavenne said my paintings were a great success with many inquiries. |
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.