Information on Frances Hodgkins

Frances Hodgkins, a prominent New Zealand painter, lived a life that was intimately connected with her sexuality, which played a significant role in her personal and artistic development. Born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1869, she moved to Europe in 1901, where she formed a deep friendship with fellow artist Dorothy Kate Richmond. Their relationship was marked by a profound emotional connection, as evidenced by Frances's affectionate and often intimate letters to Richmond, describing her as "the dearest woman" and expressing a desire to always have her nearby.

Frances and Richmond's bond was more than just a friendship; their letters hint at a deeper emotional, possibly romantic, attachment. They lived together for a time in Cornwall, and Frances's letters reveal her complex feelings, including jealousy and longing, particularly when Richmond was away caring for another woman, Constance Astley. Despite a brief engagement to a man, Thomas Boughton Wilby, which ended without much consequence, Frances's primary emotional connections appeared to be with women.

Throughout her life in Britain, Frances maintained close relationships with several women, including Dorothy Jane Saunders, Hannah Ritchie, and Lucy Wertheim. These relationships, often laced with financial and emotional support, were crucial to her both personally and professionally. Moreover, her friendships with notable male homosexuals like Arthur Lett Haines and Cedric Morris were significant, providing her not only with companionship but also with much-needed support during financially challenging times.

Frances Hodgkins's sexuality, while not explicitly defined in modern terms, was evidently an integral part of her life. It influenced her art, her relationships, and the choices she made, allowing her to navigate and thrive in an artistic world that was often restrictive for women, especially those who didn't conform to traditional norms of the time.