One Last Painting for Summer

The artist’s wife, Evelyn, knitting on a daybed, 1934
1934

Gerald Gardiner (1902-59)

English

Oil on canvas

Private collection

Credit: © Liss Fine Art

Image No. LIS 425802

http://www.bridgemanart.com/search?filter_text=knitting&x=22&y=15&page_num=4

The light in and atmosphere of this painting makes me think of  late summer, be it morning or afternoon. I want that room in my house, with its cosy corner, simple furnishing and a daybed to relax on and knit. The dress and shoes are nice, too.

I don’t often have detailed information about the room in which a knitter is sitting but the listing for this painting on The Bridgeman Art Library (see link above) states the following:

“The setting is the artist’s home, Lower Nash End, Bisley in Gloucestershire,where the Gardiners moved in 1934, the year of this painting.”

I also like this painting as it reminds me of a favourite line of fabrics by Kaffe Fassett.* I have made several quilts from its different colourways, and a little workbag for knitting from two of them. Here it is with my Weeping Angels sock in progress.**

*http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/kaffe_fassett/woven_stripes

** http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/weeping-angel-2