Life Drawing Class

In this painting the seated nude life drawing model is captured from the side. Depicted within the class, Woollatt captures an art student behind the model, working on a canvas that inadvertently reflects what is happening behind our own perspective. The figure, sitting almost uncomfortably on her wooden box, is depicted by Woollatt as both innocent and powerful, hunched over but with a firm positioning of her legs as though she is ready to spring upwards. 

Leighton Hall Woollatt

Leighton Hall Woollatt (1905-1974) was an esteemed English sculptor and artist born in Nottingham. He was the son of lithograph artist Edgar Woollatt.

Pursuing his studies at Nottingham College of Art, the Royal Academy schools as well as Chelsea Polytechnic, Woollatt garnered recognition through numerous scholarships and awards.

Woollatt’s prolific career included teaching at various art schools across Britain and exhibited his works at the Royal Academy of Arts, Art Council shows and at provincial galleries. As an official War artist during World War II, Woollatt produced significant war paintings now housed at the Exeter Records Office.

Known for his decorative panels, portraits and topographical subjects, he also completed notable mural works in Nottingham and at the Bank of England.

Woollatt spent his later years in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, continuing his artistic pursuits until his death in 1974.

Museums
Nottingham Castle Museum
Royal Academy of Arts
Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery
Oxfordshire County Museums Service