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Ailsa and Marjorie Hatton, with a Racquet, Painting
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This oil painting is of the artist's two younger sisters, Ailsa Marr who was born in 1893 and Marjorie born in 1895. This work is dated 1908 when Brian Hatton was 21 years old. Ailsa and Marjorie were aged 15 and 13 years respectively. This painting shows the sisters, at home, ready for a game of tennis in the large garden at Mount Craig. The artist's maternal grandparents and his mother's sister, Ada Vevers, lived nearby and the families frequently met for tennis and other entertainments. The two girls are wearing the tennis kit considered suitable for young women at that time. They are both dressed in white 'sailor' blouses, modest skirts, black stockings and large white sunhats. There are some similarites here with other family portraits in oils, created at this time, see 'Playing Draughts - the artist's sisters.' The two girls are bathed in a golden light as if the artist has captured a moment in time, a time of harmony, comfort and prosperity. A year later, in 1909, the mother, Amelia Hatton died and the summer of 1908 was the last summer when the family were all together at Mount Craig. Brian Hatton, the artist maintained a close and affectionate relationship with his sisters throughout his life. This is evident from his letters. In August 1915 when Marjorie was woking as a VAD in London, he asked, 'Have you 'got off' with any of the soldiers at the convalescent home?' He also gave her some brotherly advice on how to deal wth matron.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | 1975-7/28 |
| Date | 1908 |
| Period | Modern |
| Collection | Fine Art |
| Technique | Painted |
| Medium | Oil |
| Creator | HATTON, Brian |
| Name | HATTON, Brian |
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