Second Revolution
Jellett and fellow Irish artist Evie Hone went to Paris in 1921 to study with cubist painter André Lhote. His teaching focused on studying the historic while approaching new forms of expression. As seen with Seated Nude, she began to approach the abstraction of the figure, applying the cubist principle of simplification
into geometric forms. Though she appreciated Lhote’s insight, Jellett described her frustration that this time didn’t lead to an “understanding of the extreme forms of non-representational art”.
It’s important to remember that Jellett and Hone could not explore Paris at this time with the same freedom of their male counterparts. Many Irish women who travelled to Paris to study with Lhote were mockingly referred to as ‘Lhote’s wives’, though each went on to develop their own distinctive
style.
These works were found rolled in a trunk by her sister following Jellett’s death: it is believed that when she discovered her own style she put any previous work away.
Standing Nude (around 1920)
oil on canvas
BELUM.U2837
Seated Nude (1921 -22)
oil on canvas
BELUM.U2293
Allegorical Scene (around 1920)
oil on canvas
BELUM.U2836
