Nora Lucy Mowbrary Cundell (1889-1948)
The Kitchen
POA
Fine Art Society, 1926
Freda Marston trained at the Regent Street Polytechnic before studying in Italy, where she lived for some time with her husband and fellow artist Reginald Marston. The pair had several joint exhibitions back in London, which invited comparison between the two painters, particularly when this view of the Alps was exhibited alongside another landscape by her husband at the Fine Art Society:
'The "Maritime Alps, near Alassio" by Mrs Marston and "Castillon, near Mentone" by Mr Marston are two of the most comfortable pictures in the exhibition ... the exhibition gives nothing but pleasure. The landscapes are clear and gracious, winning in colour, and with the right touch of aloofness for the subjects. They stand away a little, as if the artists had waited for the simplest terms of representation to declare themselves. Husband and wife are not distinguished in the catalogue but Mr Marston appears to be the more affectionate draughtsman of detail - particularly of trees - while Mrs Marston is the better composer.' (The Times, 1 Oct 1926, p 10)
