Mrs Mounter




'Mrs Mounter at the Breakfast Table' by Harold Gilman, c.1916-1917

Gilman painted several portraits of Mrs Mounter (who was his landlady) in which he experimented with the use of bold colour, influenced by the work of Matisse and his contemporaries whose work was being shown in London in the early part of 1900's. 
Gilman was part of the Camden Town group of artists who were commited to painting the nuances of everyday life. When this painting first went on display it would have been rather shocking to an audience used to more lavish subjects.  Mrs Mounter looks a little nonplussed hereself and was probably wondering how long she had to sit there before she could 'get on' with the washing up!
I love the treatment of the teapot & cups in the right hand picture.


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