Diary extracts for March 1946

1st Mar 1946:

Got down to working on the King in the Eton picture. Got in a mess with it.

3rd Mar 1946:

got into a mess trying to portray the Provost. Can’t get a likeness.

4th Mar 1946:

Anniversary of poor little Joanna’s death. Caroline still talks about her and it is very difficult to know what to say to her questions.

11th Mar 1946:

150 at the meeting in Hythe, many socialist gains. This meeting certainly showed a keen spirit which has never been before.

11th Mar 1946:

Working hard all day, it is going to be a race against time.

15th Mar 1946:

Went to see Constable show

I thought ‘Salisbury Cathedral from the Close’ really wonderful. I used to think it one of his failures.

Went to see Peter Grimes

. . . rather surprised at a grindstone being used as a capstan! Peter Pears singing magnificently.

16th Mar 1946:

Ensor show at National Gallery

. . . disappointing. He seems to have no constructive power. The paintings are also in very poor condition too.

Old Masters

The Death of Procris as good as ever, and Jan Steen knocks Vermeer into a cocked hat. De Hooch so good also. The St Giles picture still one of my favourites.

17th Mar 1946:

Called on Devas. Moyniham came in too.

18th Mar 1946:

'Cliffords Tower' sold at NEAC show

. . . thus upholding my record of selling something at every show there since I was elected member.

19th Mar 1946:

Got into a hell of a mess with painting the buttresses of Eton chapel. In fact the whole picture looks rather a mess today.

22nd Mar 1946:

Today decided to say ‘Finis’ to the Eton picture after six months of hard work

24th Mar 1946:

Painting seascape of storm breaking over a fishing village.

28th Mar 1946:

Painting in the morning on a 16x20 landscape (evening) begun some time ago.

31st Mar 1946:

Had a private view to a few neighbours of the Eton picture. Mrs Tetley said:

. . . and did you do it all yourself? !