Size: F10, 55cm × 46cm, 22” x 18” (est.)
Media: Brush, Oil paint on Canvas
Date: Completed January 12, 1975
Where: Painted at Fayence, France
Signature: “christine benson”
Currently: Bemister estate
Sally was a portrait of Sally Bemister, Christine’s cousin. After hearing of her death from cancer, Christine painted it as a gift for her Uncle Bertie. If we read the diaries we can see that she really struggled with the painting at first; I’m sure it was a very emotionally charged undertaking. Then after a four month break from the painting, she felt more confident about being able to finish it and was pleased with the results, especially after getting a few more photographs of her.
Below you can see the very poor selection of small photographs Christine had to work with.
Diary Entries
| January 24, 1974 | TRAGIC NEWS of Sally’s death on boxing from a rapid cancer. It just knocked me for six. Couldn’t stop crying. Poor Unc[le]. Am afraid he will die from grief. |
| April 29, 1974 | To work at 9:15 But got all knotted. Charcoaled in Sally’s portrait Took it out in PM. |
| April 30, 1974 | 3½hrs ‘Sally’ Have discovered the knots are because of the painting so far can’t get the likeness. |
| May 1, 1974 | 3hrs ‘Sally’ Painted eyes AM. Took one out PM. Having a really hard time with it. But must get it. |
| May 2, 1974 | No work today going too badly. John Farrow wrote that I’ve got “Both”, in composition and a sense of communication between viewer & painting. But he can’t help. |
| May 3, 1974 | H. RAIN too dark for work. |
| May 4, 1974 | 3hrs ‘Sally’ Still v. difficult & not like her. |
| May 6, 1974 | Tried unsuccessfully on Sally’s portrait. Now decided to postpone. 2hrs ‘Nymphs II‘ Top figure O.K. |
| October 9, 1974 | 2hrs on ‘Sally’ Think I can do it now. |
| October 10, 1974 | 4hrs on ‘Sally’ It’s coming slowly but have to wear glasses because of small photos. |
| October 11, 1974 | 3hrs ‘Sally’ Took Polaroid & went all tingly at likeness. Posted it to them [Uncle Bertie & Alda] |
| October 12, 1974 | 4hrs ‘Sally’ alterations, hair 7 neck. |
| October 14, 1974 | 3hrs ‘Sally’ background. Blurred effect of sun on grass & blue skies |
| October 16, 1974 | 2hrs ‘Sally’ Made a mess of the blouse. |
| October 17, 1974 | Alda says painting has a look of Sally but isn’t her. Sent more photos – better. |
| October 28, 1974 | 2hrs ‘Sally’ Changed eyes, nose. Still tired & untogether (30hrs) |
| November 20, 1974 | News, the Bemisters love the portrait of Sally ‘Terribly Grateful’ Am pleased |
| January 10, 1975 | 4½hrs on Sally’s blouse |
| January 11, 1975 | 5hrs ‘Sally’ raised bust & virtually re-painted blouse. Finished hair 7 background. Good work at last. |
| January 12, 1975 | 5hrs ‘Sally’ Correction of nose, eyes. Putting in flower design. FINISHED in 43 hrs. Am really pleased with Sally’s blouse. Contemplated ages on how to place flower design & took out existing ones on sleeves. Decided they were necessary for gay atmosphere. It really is a ‘living portrait’. Bliss with no visitors. Was nice to offload all the personality conflicts and tensions of the last few weeks and get her, Margareta’s, calm opinions. I must learn from her the strength to limit my visitors to close friends, and not keep inviting all & sundry new people to my haven. |
Source Photographs
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