Lot 130: Estelle Sylvia Pankhurst (British, 1882-1960) Studies for the Passion play, a group of seven six 40 x 56cm (15 3/4 x 22 1/16in); one 56 x 40cm (22 1/16 x 15 3/4in). (7).

Studies for the Passion play, a group of seven
tempera, unframed
six 40 x 56cm (15 3/4 x 22 1/16in); one 56 x 40cm (22 1/16 x 15 3/4in). (7).

Sylvia Pankhurst, famously known for her role as a militant British Suffragette was also an accomplished artist. She studied art in Manchester before winning a two-year scholarship at the Royal College of Art, London. Pankhurst was increasingly drawn to depicting the exploitation of women in industry and agriculture as well as creating symbolic images for the Suffragette movement. During a lull in Suffragette activity Pankhurst visited Oberammergau, Southern Germany, a town renowned for its production of the Passion Play. It is most likely that the pictures above represent scenes from the Passion Play, referencing Pankhurst's watercolours and pencil studies of the various actors in the play.