Hillary Hennes (1919-1993)
Watching Over the Fire

Pencil drawing
43 x 28 cm

Hillary Hennes was a British artist and illustrator. Her father was a curator at the South London Art Gallery and she was consequently initiated into the art world from a young age. After attending the Blackheath High School, Hennes (then Miller) studied at the Blackheath School of Art and then spent a further three years at the Royal College of Art. After graduating, Miller taught at the South East Sussex Technical College and in 1946 married the artist Hubert Hennes. Between 1948 and 1967 Miller frequently exhibited paintings at the Royal Academy in London and also illustrated a number of books on gardening and natural history, such as The Living World and Boff’s Book of Gardening.

This pencil drawing depicts a woman resting by the fireplace. Her legs are crossed and she is slumped gently to the side. Hennes excellently captures the light of the room: the mirror in the background reflects a sunny day and the woman is basked in light, though it is unclear if this from the gentle glow of a fire or the sun rays peaking through the window.

Condition: Generally very good.

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