Oil paint on canvas
Tate Collection
Works with images
General Collection
Chantrey Bequest
Collection
<a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/harold-knight-1423" aria-label="More by Harold Knight" data-gtm-name="header_link_artist" data-gtm-destination="page--artist">Harold Knight</a>
A Student
Presented by the Trustees of the Chantrey Bequest 1938
<p>The identity of the sitter in this picture remains a mystery. The fact that she is holding a pencil and pad suggests that she may be an art student. This is one of a series of pictures by Knight showing single female sitters absorbed in an activity, such as reading, writing, or even putting on a shoe. The meticulous technique, and the way the sitter's eyes are averted, creates the impression that the woman is the passive recipient of the artist's concentrated gaze. Unlike in other portraits of male artists, the sitter is not shown actively assuming an 'artistic' pose.</p><p><em>Gallery label, August 2004</em></p>
painting oil paint canvas
A Student
support: 610 × 508 mm
Presented by the Trustees of the <a href="/search?gid=999999977" data-gtm-name="tombstone_link_bequest" data-gtm-destination="list-page--search-results">Chantrey Bequest</a> 1938
<p>The identity of the sitter in this picture remains a mystery. The fact that she is holding a pencil and pad suggests that she may be an art student.  This is one of a series of pictures by Knight  showing single female sitters absorbed in an  activity, such as reading, writing, or even putting on a shoe. The meticulous technique, and the  way the sitter's eyes are averted, creates the impression that the woman is the passive recipient of the artist's concentrated gaze. Unlike in other <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/p/portrait" title="Glossary definition for 'Portrait'"><span>portraits</span></a> of male artists, the sitter is not shown actively assuming an 'artistic' pose. </p>
Display caption
2004-08-27T00:00:00
display-caption
DISPLAY_CAPTION
<p><b>N04957</b> A STUDENT <i>c.</i> 1938
<br/> 
<br/>Inscr. ‘Harold Knight’ b.c.
<br/>Canvas, 24×20 (61×51).
<br/>Chantrey Purchase from the artist 1938.
<br/><i>Exh:</i> R.A., 1938 (5).
<br/><i>Repr:</i> <i>Royal Academy Illustrated</i>, 1938, p.61.</p>
<p>
<br/><b>Published in:</b>
<br/>Mary Chamot, Dennis Farr and Martin Butlin, <i>The Modern British Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture</i>, London 1964, I
<br/></p>

Catalogue entry
2004-07-20T00:00:00
catalogue-entry
CATALOGUE_ENTRY