Nun's Class, La Charité
Sir William Russell Flint
P.R.A., P.R.W.S., R.S.W., R.O.I., R.E.
01623 799 309
Russell Flint main page
'The Nun's Class, La Charité'
Limited edition of 325
Date of publication 1957
Image Size 16" X 22".
La CHARITÉ, SO CALLED BECAUSE OF ITS ANCIENT GENEROSITY TOWARDS THE PAUPER PILGRIMS THAT CAME TO WORSHIP ATTHE GREAT ABBEY OF NOTRE DAME,
THIS WAS A FAVOURITE PLACE AT WHICH TO PAUSE ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE SOUTH.
"POOR LA CHARITE" HE WROTE "THERE WAS DESPERATE FIGHTING THERE IN MAY 940".
THE GERMANS IN FACT TWICE BLEW UP THE BRIDGES OVER THE LOIRE.
BEFORE THE WAR HE HAD BEEN REFUSED PERMISSION TO PAINT IN THE GREAT CHURCH BY ITS STERN CUSTODIAN
WHO EVENTUALLY SUCCUMBED TO THE BLANDISHMENTS OF THE ARTIST'S FRIEND MARGARET, AND ALLOWED HIM ACCESS.
'The little girls were much more intent on watching me paint than on their lessons', was his comment on this subject.
The original of which was painted in 1936. The next year it was sold to Harry R. Davies, a Los Angeles businessman who printed a private edition for his friends.
It was not until 1957 that the UK edition of 325 was published.
Visit the studio in Nottinghamshire, over five hundred prints and original paintings on display.
Nun's class