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Ethel Leontine Gabain
(1883 - 1950)
London Schoolgirls at Finnemore Wood – Camp Children in Wartime, 1940
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Ethel Leontine Gabain (1883 - 1950)
Lithographic print from the series Women’s Work in the War (Other than the Services), published by The Ministry of Information: His Majesty’s Stationery Office
14 7/8 x 19 3/4 in. (37.8 x 50.2 cm.)
Reference: Wright supplement 314
Size:
Height – 37.8cm
Width – 50.2cm
Ethel Gabain was commissioned by the War Artists’ Advisory Committee
to produce four lithographs of Women’s Voluntary Services members
and four on the subject of child evacuees. Six appeared in Women’s Work
in the War (other than the Services). This portfolio was issued in 1941 by
His Majesty’s Stationery Office and published under the auspices of the
Ministry of Information.
Although she was herself in delicate health, Gabain travelled
widely to source her images and the scenes portrayed are notable for
the robustness and industry of the women depicted. Often the figures
are rather androgynous – perhaps to reinforce the notion that a wide
range of activities could equally be undertaken by either sex – with only
headscarves suggesting that it is women who are involved.
In contrast to her later work, which often depended for its success
on the subtle use of light and shade, these WWII images are immensely
strong on detail and Gabain exhibits both a superb draughtsmanship and
full command of the lithographic printing process.
Whilst all six images are of the highest quality, the portrait of
Captain Pauline Gower of the Women’s Auxiliary Transport (WAT)
serves as a cogent reminder of the heroism of this extraordinary group
of female pilots who delivered Lancaster bombers singlehandedly, whilst
also flying Hurricanes and Spitfires between air bases. We were all
reminded of this exceptional endeavour when Mary Ellis of the WAT
died in July 2018 at the age of 101.
Commentary by Stuart Southall, actuary and print collector. He has a collection of over 4,000 works on paper and is a regular lender to exhibitions.
Ethel Gabain was born in France but received her formal art
education in London ‘ at the Slade School of Fine Art (1902) and
the Central School of Arts and Crafts (1904’06) ‘ as well as Paris
(1903’04).
In 1908 she co-founded with John Copley (1875’1950) and
A.S. Hartrick (1864’1950) the Senefelder Club, which sought to
promote the art of lithography. The sale of her prints provided her
with a working income. She married John Copley in 1913. In 1926,
she provided illustrations for Anthony Trollope’s The Warden.
She exhibited throughout her career, including at the RA, the
NEAC, and the SWA, and her oil painting Flora Robson as Lady
Audley was awarded the De Laszlo Silver Medal by the RBA in
1933.
Gabain was employed by the WAAC during WWII to produce
lithographs of Women’s Voluntary Services members. Despite
deteriorating health, she travelled across Britain to record women’s
invaluable contributions to traditionally masculine industries.
