Mary Frances Agnes WILLIAMS

Miss Mary Frances Agnes WILLIAMS
1890
c exh1918-1933

Born in Whitchurch, Salop, the daughter of a clergyman, and educated in England and Germany. Studied art at Atelier Colarossi in Paris and exhibited there at the Paris Salon (from 1914), her main exhibits being drawing and painting from the nude. From Paris she moved in 1921 to Norway House, St Ives where she set up her studio, removing to Enys Studio (1924-35).

The reviewer in 1924 remarks 'Miss Williams has painted a portrait low in tone and full of mystery, called The Enigma. I believe the same model sat for this as for the artist's The Mystic, sent to the Salon. The face is a little weary, and has learned many secrets. The picture is full of imagination.'

media

Portrait, nude, figure and landscape painter in oil and watercolour.

works and access

Works include: Fishing boats before the pier at St Ives - oil on pane -10.5x8.5cml; The Mystic (1924 Paris Salon); The Enigma (1924 Show Day exhibit); Melody (RA 1933); The Fairy Story; Sea Nymphs; The grey dress (1920); The silk dress (1924); Genevieve (Paris Salon) and Study of a Boy.

Access to Work: Girl in a Bonnet, The Studio, Vol 46, 1909, p62

exhibitions

PARIS SALON (1912 onwards)

PLYMOUTH ART GALLERY 1922, joint exhibition of the Newlyn and St Ives colonies

St Ives, March, Show Day 1920, showing works for London Galleries

STISA 1933, Show Day; 1932, 34 and 36, Touring Shows

RA (1) 1933

Melody Cheltenham 1925

memberships

STISA: 1927-1936

references

Hardie (2009) Artists/Newlyn & West Cornwall p353 bibl

Tovey (2000) George Fagan Bradshaw - Submariner & Marine Artist, etc. STISA Principal members list p228; (2003) Creating a Splash (photo); (2009) St Ives/ Social History

Whybrow (1994) St Ives (1911-20 list)

St Ives Times: 5 March 1920; 14 May 1920; 23 Mar 1923; 8 Jun 1923; 21 Mar 1924