What is thought to be the last ever painting of famed writer DH Lawrence is set to be purchased by Nottingham City Council and put on display. The Eastwood-born poet is recognised internationally and his portrait had been in the possession of a private collector in the USA.
Lawrence had been a teacher at what is now the University of Nottingham and his unorthodox work led to him becoming an internationally-recognised cultural figure. One of his most striking features was the fact he was one of the first working-class novelists, having been the son of a coal miner, and had practised his craft by visiting his local library.
The outbreak of the First World War in 1914, however, meant Lawrence felt forced to flee the country, having run off to marry his German lover, and the wife of his former university professor, Frieda von Richthofen. It was a period in his life he termed the 'savage pilgrimage'.
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He subsequently travelled the world and it was when he was in France the portrait was painted by Dutch artist Joep Nicolas, who happened to be the brother-in-law to the author of Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, who was Lawrence's friend. It is one of very few portraits of the author and is thought to be the last one ever done.
The council says: "It was painted by Dutch artist, Joep Nicolas (1897-1972), better known as a stained glass painter of some repute. Nicolas was the brother-in-law to the novelist Aldous Huxley (1894 - 1963), the iconic author of Brave New World (1932), who was a close friend of Lawrence.
"Late in 1929, while travelling from Spain to Germany, the Lawrences called on the Huxleys in Suresnes, France, where Nicolas also happened to be staying, and so the chance arose for Nicolas to paint Lawrence's portrait. This resulted in one of the few portraits of Lawrence painted during the writer's lifetime and - almost certainly - the final one."
During his travels, Lawrence became gravely ill, particularly with malaria and TB, and he died in Vence, France, on March 2, 1930. He spent much of his life travelling with von Richthofen and would only revisit England on two occasions after leaving.
The important piece of artwork is therefore highly sought after. The cost of purchasing the portrait has been fully met through external funding and support from partners and public donations, meaning the council itself does not have to use any of its own finances.
It has already been transported to Nottingham at the expense of the current owner, to help with fundraising efforts, however, the buy-price is not being disclosed. Once obtained it is expected to be placed in a collection of Nottingham City Museums, which will then deliver a "programme of events and activities at Newstead Abbey and in Nottingham city libraries."
"The portrait has been offered for sale to Nottingham by a private collector in the USA," the council adds. "Appropriate due diligence checks have confirmed that the provenance for the work is secure."
