1860-1942
Sickert trained as an actor before studying art. He painted
music halls and seedy lodging house interiors, and enjoyed
sophisticated London society. He worked with Degas in Dieppe and
for several years divided his time between Dieppe and Venice. The
artist also has strong Bath connections. He spent some time here
during the First World War and later settled in Bathampton for the
last four years of his life.
Sickert despised professional portrait painters describing them
as 'the wriggle-and-chiffon school'. He nevertheless produced
powerful portraits throughout his life. Here he has used thick
paint and lively brushstrokes to capture his elegant sitter's
features in a moment of thought.