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A fine painting by Dame Laura Knight of the Bertram Mills circus artistes entrance termed the back doors or the ring doors – the usual entrance for the central ring. 1920s.
Dame Laura Knight was a wonderful artist with many subject matters. She seemed to favour very much the performing arts of the stage the ballet and the circus. Born upon the 4th August 1877 she was awarded the D.B.E. in 1929. She was the first woman to be elected to The Royal Academy in 1936. She died on the 7th July 1970.
British circus ballerina Elsie Scott – the date is 1929. The Scotts were a very well known circus family.
This is another fine painting of lady ballerina Elsie Scott of the Scott circus family painted in 1929. A classic set of the medium sized circus of those days showing a two poled main mast structure from left to right. The ringmaster would first lead the horse around the ring prior to setting him at a pace (anti-clockwise). I must assume that the two clowns are placed there for artistic reason – they would not be part of the act.
Here is one actual stage photograph of Elsie Scott along with her brother Arthur (a fine performer to) and her sister performing her lady riding act upon some Variety stage. Not sure of the date so, do supply the knowledge if you know.
This painting she called Preparing for the Ring. (1934). The rider is not showing a costume for a show so it could be a rehearsal. The second painting is simply called Three Clowns. The same lady rider is seen in the distance !
