Dame Laura Knight, born Laura Johnson, was an English artist who specialized in oil paintings, watercolours, etchings, and drypoints. She was born on August 4, 1877, in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England, and passed away on July 7, 1970, in St. John's Wood, London.
Laura Knight began her artistic education at the Nottingham School of Art and later studied at the Royal College of Art in London. She gained recognition for her ability to capture the essence of life through her art, particularly in her depictions of theatrical scenes, ballet dancers, circus performers, and gypsy communities.
During World War I, Laura Knight was appointed an official war artist, becoming the first woman to receive such a commission. She documented the activities of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, the Women's Royal Naval Service, and the Ballet Russes in her paintings. Knight's wartime works often showcased the roles and experiences of women during the conflict.
In addition to her war art, Laura Knight also painted portraits, landscapes, and genre scenes. She had a keen interest in the circus and traveling communities, which led her to produce many notable works on these subjects. Her paintings often displayed a strong sense of colour, movement, and dramatic lighting, capturing the atmosphere and energy of the scenes she portrayed.
Knight's talent and contributions to the art world were widely recognized during her lifetime. In 1929, she became the first woman to be elected to the Royal Academy of Arts, and in 1936, she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), becoming one of the first women artists to receive this honour.
Dame Laura Knight's works can be found in numerous public and private collections, including the Tate Britain and the National Portrait Gallery in London. Her legacy as a pioneering female artist continues to inspire and influence artists today.