Completed London: Artists and Subjects, Portraits: British 19th C 12 comments Can we establish the 'Hickson' of this and another portrait of two sitters connected to Guy’s Hospital?
Photo credit: Guy's & St Thomas' Foundation
A Margaret Hickson exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1882 and 1900 https://bit.ly/3hcXBB6 but none were portraits. The auctioneers Ewbanks say that she was active 1879 to 1922. Artbiogs.co.uk list a Margaret Hickson born 1856 https://bit.ly/3hsaPsn.
Completed, Outcome
This discussion is now closed. The artist ‘M. Hickson’ was identified as Margaret Hickson (1856–1919).
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the discussion. To anyone viewing this discussion for the first time, please see below for all the comments that led to this conclusion.
11 comments
Alistair Brown, Art UK added: ‘The signature on both these [portrait of Thomas Bryant, also by M. Hickson https://bit.ly/365s1ij ] does appear to be similar to works on sites online given to Margaret Hickson https://bit.ly/3hvymZo.’
Margaret Hickson, born 17 Feb 1856 Pancras, daughter of James Hickson and Wilhelmina Thasnelde Adelheid Von Einem, died 11 Dec 1919 Camberwell. Spinster.
"In addition to this class of work, Miss Hickson has painted many portraits,.. ..and a most successful likeness of 'Mr Edward Cock FRCS' presented by his colleagues to Guy's Hospital, where it now hangs in the committee room."
The Queen, The Ladies Newspaper December 22, 1894 (attached)
That was quick: does she feature in any of the usual dictionaries (e.g. Christopher Wood's on Victorian artists or those on women artists by Sara Gray and Deiia Gaze)?
Pieter, Antique Collectors Club 'British Artists 1880-1940'. Exh. 1880-1901. Figure and landscape painter, London Royal Society of Artists, Birmingham 10, Dudley Gallery and New Dudley Gallery 4, Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts 1, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool 4, Manchester City Art Gallery 3, New Gallery 1, Royal Academy 9, Royal Society of British Artists 7, Royal Hibernian Academy 1, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours 4, Royal Institute of Oil Painters 3, Royal Scottish Academy 1, Society of Women Artists 18
Bill Elson's superfast spot-on post confirms that the artist of this sympathetic portrait of Edward Cock is Margaret Hickson (1856-1919). As to the portrait of Thomas Bryant, this has a similar signature and is clearly by the same artist.
I propose to recommend closing this discussion at the end of the week to allow time for any further pertinent contributions.
Subject to input from the collection and from Thomas as London Group leader, I now recommend that this short and sharp discussion is closed.
Bill Elson's spot-on post confirms that the artist of this sympathetic portrait of Edward Cock is Margaret Hickson (1856-1919). The portrait of Thomas Bryant has a similar signature and is clearly by the same artist.
Jacob, I have asked for the Collection response; our Art Detective contact returns to work next week. David
Penelope Hines, Collections Manager, Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation, email, 19/07/21
'I would be delighted for the collection records to be updated with this information. My thanks to you and colleagues for doing this, so exciting to be looking into the nuance of the collection. '
Margaret Hickson draft biography attached
Agree with Jacob Simon to close this discussion. Great result!
Pieter, thank you for the draft biography for Margaret Hickson.