This month we feature a semi-abstract oil painting entitled Broken Cello by Winifred Gaussen (1903 - 2002), painter and art therapist.

About the Artist

Winifred Gaussen, born in London in 1903, was first inspired to take up painting in the late 1930s by Romanian-born artist and writer Arthur Segal. Segal was interested in painting as a therapy for mental illness and corresponded with psychoanalysts and psychiatrists. Winifred Gaussen’s husband, Hardy Gaussen, was studying psychotherapy at the Tavistock Clinic and it was at a party there that Winifred met Segal.

The therapeutic benefit of art was a constant theme in Winifred Gaussen’s life. In 1943, she and her husband moved to Exeter when he took up a post of psychiatrist at the Withymead Centre, a pioneering Jungian centre for the healing arts, established by Irene and Gilbert Champernowne. Winifred was a natural art therapist and helped in the art room at Withymead. She also established her own art group for local artist friends at her home.

Connections with Dartington

Winifred and Hardy Gaussen moved to a house in Dartington called ‘Hunters Moon’ in 1965, where Winifred set up her own studio. It was whilst she was based at Dartington that Winifred produced her most experimental work.

In the 1950s and 1960s Winifred exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions. 1968 saw the painting Broken Cello being exhibited at the Bristol Royal West Academy.

In later life, when Winifred Gaussen returned to live in Exeter, she encouraged young artists and offered them studio space in her house, giving them encouragement and showing interest in their work. The University hosted an exhibition of Winifred Gaussen’s paintings in 1998.

About the Painting

Winifred Gaussen’s paintings cover a variety of themes and styles, from portraits and flower paintings, to semi-abstract paintings such as this one, which explores space, shape and colour. The strong blocks of background colour are subtly intersected by the curved ‘bouts’ (or sides) of the cello, which also have a latent energy. The broken ‘neck’ of the cello leads the eye to the centre of the painting. The overall aspect is pleasing and harmonious.

The exact date of the painting is unknown. Winifred was certainly interested in painting musical subjects whilst at Dartington. It is known that a cello was played at the funeral of Dorothy Elmhirst in 1968, which inspired the artist to paint a work entitled The Cellist. Perhaps Broken Cello was created around the same time.

The painting formed part of a retrospective exhibition of Winifred Gaussen's work at the University in 1998, after which it was purchased by the University.

With thanks to:

The family of Winifred Gaussen
Caroline Fox – Article: ‘Winifred Gaussen’ September 1997
Susan Hogan – Healing Arts: The History of Art Therapy
South West Heritage Trust – LKE/WIT/3/E (Dr Hardy Gaussen 1956-72)

Find out more about:

Other works in the University's fine art collection by Winifred Gaussen: [https://artuk.org/discover/artists/gaussen-winifred-19032002]

Irene Champernowne, the Withymead Centre and the Champernowne Trust: https://champernowne.org/