Last known portrait of D.H. Lawrence makes its debut in Eastwood

Visitors will be able to view the ‘Portrait of D.H. Lawrence at Aldous Huxley’s House’ from 1 September at 7.00pm at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum on Victoria Street Eastwood. 

The portrait, painted by Dutch artist Joep Nicolas, is the last known portrait of Lawrence, painted at the house of Aldous Huxley, a close friend of Lawrence, in Suresnes, France, in 1929 – the year before Lawrence died. Aldous and his wife Maria’s support was invaluable through Lawrence’s ill health towards the end of his life.

Previous to being acquired by Nottingham City Museums, in partnership with the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum, the portrait was on display at the Museum of Modern Art, New York (1942 – 1943), Rijksacademie, Amsterdam (1967 – 1968), and at the Centre for British Art, Yale University (2017 – 2023).

Joep Nicolas was a successful and well respected artist in Europe and America, specialising in stained glass windows, being the third of five generations in his family to contribute to the artistic medium.

The portrait will be on display at the museum in the main exhibition room until August 2024 and is free to visit during museum opening hours.

The annual D.H. Lawrence Festival returns from 1^st September with ten days of free literature, art, music, heritage and community events.  Amongst this year’s line-up are Heritage Open Days, pop up proms, the popular D.H. Lawrence Music Festival, guided walks, talks, lectures and a new portrait exhibition. The festival programme can be found at www.broxtowe.gov.uk/dhlawrencefestival (Opens in a new window)

The festival has been co-produced by the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum, which is owned and managed by Broxtowe Borough Council, along with the D.H. Lawrence Society, Haggs Farm Preservation Society and Ben Mark Smith of the D.H. Lawrence Music Festival. 

Find out more at www.broxtowe.gov.uk/dhlawrencemuseum (Opens in a new window).