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Stella Bowen: The return to England

Art, Love and War

 

  • Exhibition
  • Education material
  • Curators talks
  • Periods:
  • To England
  • An artist's journey
  • Inner worlds
  • The return to England
  • The war years

 

The return to England

As the cost of living in France increased, Stella Bowen was forced to supplement her allowance by taking on portrait commissions. She went to America for six months during 1932, to paint a series of portraits in the hope of making enough money to keep living in France; but eventually, in 1933, she was forced to return to England.

Bowen always loved the green of England, what she called its “verdure”, but she disliked the greyness of London. She made two short trips with friends to her beloved south of France to paint, and there developed her “conversation pieces”, works in which she portrayed people in relaxed poses and everyday settings. In late 1939 Bowen moved to a cottage in the English countryside, determined to have a garden and to continue painting, despite the onset of war.

 

Paintings

  • Ramon Guthrie
  • La plante
  • Self-portrait
  • Interior, Chelsea Gardens
  • Still life
  • Raymond Postgate
  • John Postgate
  • Tusnelda
  • Tusnelda’s interior
  • White steps
  • Roses in a green vase
  • Green End

Last updated: 10 February 2021

1 The Donations and bequests

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Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

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2 Visit Transcribe.awm.gov.au

Transcribe

Help preserve Australia's history by transcribing records from the National Collection. Enhance accessibility and discoverability for all Australians.

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The placesofpride

Places of Pride

Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia.

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Visit the Australian War Memorial

Visit the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is open for visitors as we work to expand our galleries. Entry is free and tickets are not required.

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Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
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The Australian War Memorial building

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue
Campbell ACT 2612
Australia
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The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

Opening Hours

10 am to 4 pm daily (except Christmas Day)

 

In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony,

galleries are progressively closed from 3:40 pm.

 

Public entrance via Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612

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