Rare work from Hennel’s period of “Madness”
Hennell, Thomas (1903-1945)
'Deluge'
1930s
150 by 200mm (6 by 7¾ inches).
Water colour on paper,
Provenance: Artist’s sister
Michael Macleod, Thomas Hennell. Countryman, Artist, Writer, Cambridge University Press, 1988
On the 31st August 1932 Hennel was placed in Stone Hospital, Aylesbury, the first of three secure psychiatric hospitals. This image of figures overwhelmed by deluge could illustrate or presage the artist’s illness. In the same year (1932) he met Eric Ravilious and Edward Bawden, their influence may explain this picture’s uncharacteristic modernism.
His work is represented in numerous public collections, including
Bethlem Royal Hospital
Government Art Collection
Imperial College
Imperial War Museum
National Maritime Museum
Royal Air Force Museum
Tate Britain
V&A
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum
Ferens Art Gallery (Hull)
Graves Gallery (Sheffield)
Laing Art Gallery (Newcastle upon Tyne)
Manchester Art Gallery
Southampton Art Gallery
National Museum Wales (Cardiff).
£3750
[ref: 10773]