Dorothy Kay (Irish, 1886-1964) 'A Bit of Glamour', a portrait of May Hunt
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Notes : PROVENANCE:Commissioned from the artist by Mr Ivan Hunt, husband of the sitter (Florence May Hunt, née Londt), Port ElizabethBy descent to their daughterA private collectionSale, James Adam Salerooms, Dublin, 10 December 2003, lot 134EXHIBITED:Port Elizabeth, Eastern Province Society for Arts & Crafts, 34th exhibition, 16-28 October 1951, cat no. 22Port Elizabeth, Works by Dorothy Kay 1902-1955, June 1955, cat no. 31 LITERATURE:M. Reynolds, "Everything you do is a Portrait of Yourself": Dorothy Kay, a Biography, (Cape Town, 1989)Kay began work on the present lot, a commission by Mr Ivan Hunt, shortly after her return from Durban in 1950, and discussed it several times in her letters (as quoted in Reynolds 1989). She envisioned the work as "all white organdie and a bit of glamour" (20 September 1950)."Had another sitting from May - It all promises well - and I'm loving it - She's so jolly and nice, though a continual sufferer of Hay Fever and Asthma - She understands all I say and feel about painting, and we have a good laugh at ourselves" (6 November 1950)"May's portrait progresses - but such interrupted sittings! It's a joke..." (27 November 1950)"They all think May's portrait terrific - I wonder what you think - and what Tweedsuitings [her sister Marjorie] would say." (24 December 1950)
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