Nina Hamnett was born in Shirley House, Picton Road in the coastal town
of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales on 14th February 1890. Her father George Hamnett
was an army officer, born in Chennai (formerly Madras), India. Her mother Mary
was born in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Nina was sent to a private boarding school at Westgate-on-Sea before
moving on to the Royal School for Daughters of Officers of the Army in Bath,
Somerset from 1902 to 1905.
Her father was dishonourable discharged from the army and worked as a
taxi driver. From 1906 to 1907 Nina studied at the Pelham Art School and then
at the London School of Art until 1910.
In 1914 she went to Montparnasse, Paris, France to study at Marie
Vassilieff's Academy.
Nina went on to become an accomplished artist and writer, and an expert
on sailors' shantys. She became known as the "Queen of Bohemia" for
her eccentric behaviour. She was a regular contributor to “The Coterie”
Magazine.
Hamnett died on 16th December 1956.
Paintings:
Nina Hamnett painted by Roger Fry (1866 - 1934) in 1917, was wearing a
dress designed by Vanessa Bell and made at the Omega Workshops
WW1 painting by Nina Hamnett - Portrait of Major General William
Bethune Lindsay by Nina Hamnett - Canadian War Museum
Sources: http://zone47.com/crotos/?p=8&p195=1032442 and Wikipedia
