An English Marble Bust Of A Lady

In the realm of artistic prowess, Doris Gerrard R.B.A stands as a figure of profound talent and unfulfilled promise, as articulated by the esteemed English writer, playwright, and public speaker Beverley Nichols. He eloquently dubbed her as 'a sculptress of genius, completely wasted in India'. You can see the skill and passion poured into this piece, probably created in the second quarter of the 20th century. Crafted with precision and elegance, this bust captures a woman of high social standing, her eyes peacefully closed and adorned with a lavish hairstyle. Gerrard's attention to detail shines through in the delicate features of the mouth, nose, and eyes, showcasing her artistic expertise. The long, elegant neck leading down to the sitter's clavicle is also a work of genius.

Doris Gerrard studied at Plymouth College of Art in the 1920s. She also studied painting and sculpture in Paris and Florence. When she arrived in India, she encountered Indian carvings and bronzes, which inspired her to concentrate on form. She was married to Charles Gerrard, a painter and sometime principal of the J. J. School of Art in Bombay. Among Gerrard's notable sitters were the Prime Minister H. E. Nawab Sir Ahmad Sair Khan of Chhatari and Princess Niloufer, niece of the late Sultan of Turkey and one of the last princesses of the Ottoman Empire. Her sculptures can be seen in the last photo; the previous photo shows Doris Gerrard with a Study for Salome in Bronze. Photos courtesy of "The Studio," May 1948.

Provenance: Formerly the property of the Late Reverend John Watson who acquired it from the Studio Sale of Doris Gerrard in the 1990s, the proceeds of which endowed a scholarship in her name at Plymouth.