SYLVIA SLEIGH (1916-2010)

This painting was executed at 107 Blackheath Park during Sylvia Sleigh’s four-week visit to London in February and March 1949. Although still married to her first husband, Michael Greenwood, she was romantically involved with Lawrence Alloway, an aspiring young poet who resided at Blackheath Park and later became a prominent art critic and curator. In a letter to Greenwood, dated 9 March 1949 (Lawrence Alloway Papers, 1935-2003, Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles), she wrote, “I have just bought another canvas and hope to paint myself in the new hat I have made of blue velvet with a feather.” The painting was completed before she departed London six days later.

We are grateful to Andrew D. Hottle, Ph.D., for preparing the notes above and his assistance in cataloguing this work.