Mary Frances Agnes WILLIAMS
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