Portrait of a Girl Reading

In this composition, a fair-skinned girl with an iridescent blush and lustrous golden-bond hair is depicted engrossed in her reading. The book she holds is strategically positioned facing upwards, to catch the same gentle light that illuminates her almost ethereal face. 

Her luminous appearance is set against a vivid blue background, providing a striking contrast that enhances the composition. The rich hue of the background serves to emphasise her fair complexion and the subtle luminosity of her blush. This contrast is further accentuated by the deep black of her dress with its juxtaposition of light and dark within the composition creates a focus on the lady’s serene and focused expression. Though the meticulous use of colour and light, the artist captures a moment of quiet introspection, highlighting the delicate beauty of the subject in the contemplative state.

Robert Anning Bell

Robert Anning Bell was a renowned British painter, sculptor, designer, illustrator and educator. Born in London in 1863, the son of a cheesemonger, Bell underwent varied but extensive artistic training. He began working in an architect’s office before studying at the University College School, the Westminster School of Art, and the Royal Academy Schools. His artistic practice was later influenced by the classical and renaissance art he encountered on extensive trips to Paris and Italy.

Upon his return to England, Bell shared a studio with the Sculptor George Frampton. Together, they collaborated on a series of designs for an altarpiece, which was exhibited at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society and later installed in the Church of St Clare in Liverpool. This collaboration marked the beginning of Bell’s significant contribution to the Arts and Crafts movement. 

Between 1895 and 1899, Bell served as an instructor at the Liverpool University School of Architecture. During this period, he became closely associated with the Della Robbia Pottery in Birkenhead, contributing to its innovative ceramic designs that took inspiration from 15th century Florentine reliefs. Simultaneously, Bell’s reputation as a book designer and illustrator flourished, leading to numerous successful commissions.

In 1911, Bell was appointed head of the design section at the Glasgow School of Art and later between 1918 and 1924 he served as a professor of design at the Royal College of Art in London. Through out his academic career, Bell continued to produce and exhibit his artwork. He showcased his paintings at the Royal Academy, the New English Art Club, and the Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours. Additionally, he participated in the inaugural exhibition of the Society of Graphic Art in 1921. That same year, he was elected as Master of the Art Workers’ Guild.

Bell’s artistic oeuvre is characterised by a clear, linear style, heavily influenced by Italian Renaissance art. His work in mosaics and stained glass remains particularly notable. Examples of his mosaics can be found in Westminster Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament, while his stained-glass work included the renowned Shakespeare window in the Manchester Reference Library.

Museums
Walker Art Museum, Liverpool
Tate, London
Manchester City Art Gallery 
Victoria Art Gallery, Conwy
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Horniman Museum, London