Stella Bowen

Stella Bowen (1893-1947) was an Australian-born artist, writer, and critic. She is primarily known for her modernist portraits and her autobiographical memoir, Drawn From Life.

Bowen was born in Adelaide, South Australia. She moved to London in 1914 to pursue a career as an artist, studying at the Westminster School of Art. During World War I, she served as a volunteer nurse.

In 1918, Bowen met the writer Ford Madox Ford and began a relationship with him that lasted until 1927. They lived together in England and France and had a daughter, Christina. During this period, Bowen became involved in the modernist literary and artistic circles that surrounded Ford. She painted portraits of prominent figures, including Ezra Pound and Rebecca West, and developed her distinctive modernist style, characterized by bold colors and simplified forms.

After her relationship with Ford ended, Bowen continued to paint and write. She lived primarily in France and England and exhibited her work regularly. During World War II, she served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF).

Drawn From Life, published in 1941, is Bowen's most famous work. It is a candid and insightful account of her life and her relationship with Ford Madox Ford, offering a valuable perspective on the literary and artistic world of the early 20th century.

Bowen's work has experienced renewed interest in recent years, with exhibitions and publications exploring her contributions to modernism and her role as a female artist navigating the complexities of the early 20th century art world. Her paintings are held in collections around the world.