Diary extracts for Apr to May 1942

21st Apr 1942:

Caroline’s christening in the house… Vivien godmother. Mr Pope conducted the ceremony with his usual quietness and benevolence.

[unknown date]:

Telegram from Marcantonio a model congratulating him…. A tradition to give him a guinea.

12th May 1942:

ARA ceremony. “Old Lutyens looked a bit motheaten” “Bought book on Catalan Art to celebrate the occasion.”

12th May 1942:

First to Redfern Gallery to discuss what to send to the Russian Show at the Wallace Collection.

15th May 1942:

15 May

Started Portsmouth night bombing picture (30x50). This is going to be the hell of a job, and no mistake, and will certainly take some weeks.

28 June

After much crosstalk and criticizing etc. etc., we decided that the ‘Portsmouth Night Raid’ painting must be considered finished.

20 August

Portsmouth picture won’t pass the censor at present. Damn it!

28th May 1942:

Nan Kivell sent a funny old painting for Crispin.

28th May 1942:

To London: Press Day at new room, of War Artists’ pictures. My painting of the ‘Ayres Rescue’ looks better than I had hoped and attracted a good deal of attention. Photo of me standing by it!