Monday, October 28, 2013

Lady Florence Norman




“Lady Florence Norman, a suffragette, on her motor-scooter in 1916, travelling to work at offices in London where she was a supervisor. The scooter was a birthday present from her husband, the journalist and Liberal politician Sir Henry Norman.”

Portrait of Grace - William Orpen 1907


Early travel


Sisters Sir Frederic Leighton


The Spirit of the Summit Sir Frederic Leighton


Thursday, October 24, 2013

Ponds Cold Cream advert featuring British musical film star Jessie Matthews, circa 1915.



In the 1920s and 1930s, Jessie Matthews’ wide-eyed, clear-skinned, gamine look was one that all women wanted to emulate and so it was hardly surprising that Ponds, one of the leading producers of skin-care products, asked her to endorse their range. It was a far cry from the young Jessie who, aged 16, went to New York with the Charlot revue London Calling!. Then she was so inexperienced that when she went down to dinner on the luxury liner she pretended that she was not hungry because she wasn’t sure which cutlery to use. She had no stockings, jewellery or smart clothes and dressed in clothes borrowed from other girls in the company. But during the run of the revue she took over from the star, Gertrude Lawrence, and she returned from New York a successful elegant beauty, in high heels and Fifth Avenue suits.

A Golden Dream, 1893 (oil on canvas) by Thomas Cooper Gotch


They Come - Thomas Cooper Gotch