[Need image]
Vera Farnell
Hubert Andrew Freeth, (1912–1986)
Date: 1951
Medium: Chalk
Donor: By subscription in 1952
About the sitter
Vera Farnell originally studied French at Somerville (1911–14). She later became Tutor in English and French. She held many College offices during her long association with Somerville, including that of Principal’s Secretary under Emily Penrose, later becoming Librarian, and Somerville’s first Dean, appointed in 1925 to oversee College discipline. She held the Deanship for 22 years, and became Vice Principal in 1946–7.
In her book A Somervillian Looks Back (Oxford, 1948), Vera Farnell said that the particular character of Somerville was ‘based upon an idea of intellectual integrity and independence, of wide toleration and of a liberal attitude.’ She also said that a ‘certain tendency to eccentricity may sometimes accompany these admirable qualities.’
About the artist
Freeth was an etcher and painter, especially of portraits and figure subjects. Born in Birmingham, he attended the School of Art there, then spent three years at the British School in Rome. During World War II he was an Official War Artist to the RAF in the Middle East.
Freeth was noted for his superbly accomplished etchings. He was one of the first artists to make the people of the Black Country the main subject of his work, while other artists placed greater emphasis on representing the industrial landscape.
After the war the National Coal Board commissioned Freeth to produce works depicting mineworkers, following the success of his representation of the people of the Black Country.
Further information
https://artuk.org/discover/artists/freeth-hubert-andrew-19121986