I opened a recent post on Sunnyside showing a painting by American artist Frederick C Frieseke called Through the Vines and it immediately reminded me of the work of New Zealander Evelyn Page (1899 – 1988). Like Frieske she was most adept at showing the human form through dappled light.
There was a retrospective of her paintings shortly after her death and I enjoyed viewing the collection.
I did some research via Google on Evelyn Page, and found an image of the painting I had once seen and so admired. Its luminosity appeals to me still.
Evelyn Page was born in Christchurch in 1899, and at fifteen joined the Canterbury School of Arts as a junior pupil. She later taught at the same art school for many years. Evelyn was influenced by overseas travel to London, and viewing for example, the Tate Gallery portraits. But it was the French Post-Impressionists she was especially taken with and adapted her style to reflect that of these trailblazers.
Evelyn focussed on the human form, although she did also paint landscapes and portraits as her contemporaries were also doing. After her travels she took a bolder and more colourful approach to her painting.
Although she never lived in France for any length of time, her work clearly shows her link to the French Impressionists’ new way of approaching light and colour.
Monet’s style appealed so much to the American Frederick C Frieseke, he spent most of his life in Giverny, France.
This is a portrait of Evelyn Page’s I particularly like, for its composition, choice of colour and the skilled use of the brush. The definition of the sitter’s features is striking; the touches of light perfectly placed.
Evelyn Page painted into her late seventies, when arthritis finally caused her to lay down her brushes. She received many honours for her work including the Governor General’s Award, and in 1987 was made Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Thank you Sunnyside for reminding me of one of New Zealand’s great women painters.
ARTISTRY 
Oh, that gorgeous light! Thanks so much for introducing me to Evelyn Page, Vivienne. 😎
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Thanks Sunnyside, I’m pleased that an artist you posted reminded of her.
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An interesting account on two artists, one I’ve heard about and the other I’m not familiar with. Off the top of my head, I can’t think of many famous women post-impressionists. Mary Cassatt? I like the, stealing your word ‘luminosity’ in Page’s brushwork. Thank you for sharing, Vivienne.
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Thanks Jason. Sorry that I haven’t caught up with your latest posts as have been sending novel to publishers. The work never seems to stop!
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No worries! Good luck with your novel. I assume you’re very excited. When you novel is published, it there a kindle version?
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Thanks for the introduction. I’d never heard of her before.
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Thanks for the comment.
I don’t think she was thought of as highly as some other women painters, but she was good, no doubt about it.
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Her work is arresting is it not? Wonderful post, Vivienne.
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Thanks Yvette. I love the way she captured light.
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Thanks Vivienne. To my shame this is the first I have seen of Evelyn Page’s work, but I will certainly explore further. Thanks for the insight, Vivienne.
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Thanks Phil, maybe she wasn’t as flamboyant as other artists, but she certainly knew how to paint.
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Thanks for introducing Evelyn Page to me. That last portrait is especially stunning. I love the colours. Is it not wonderful how bloggers worldwide inspire each other? Thanks Vivienne, thanks Sunnyside.
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Thanks Yvonne. yes, I agree with you, other bloggers are inspirational. I think of them as penpals.
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Thank you for the introduction, her work is glorious. No doubt these days the title of ‘Summer morn’ would be ‘Ok, girls who’s up for a swim”!
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You are probably right. It would definitely be something a little more daring.
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Late to find you and comment – but I have always loved the dappled sunlight look, Linda xx
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