Laura Knight was born in Long Eaton, Derbyshire. She took private lessons from her mother, before attending Nottingham School of Art. She became an associate of the Royal Academy in 1927 and was awarded the DBE in 1929. She designed the Circus range of tableware for A J Wilkinson Ltd, and also coronation ware for wedgwood in 1937. During World War II Dame Laura was appointed an official war artist documenting the Nuremberg Trails. In 1965 a retrospective of her work was shown at the Royal Academy in London, the first woman to be honoured in this way. In all she made some 90 prints, most between 1923 and 1925, and her subject matter revolved around her interest in the bohemian world of the circus and ballet.

Further reading:
Kenneth Guichard, British Etchers 1850 - 1940, Robin Garton, London, 1977
Dame Laura Knight DBE RA RWS 1877 - 1954, Blond Fine Art Ltd, London, 1980

www.damelauraknight.com

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  • Art Project