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British artist Sophie Gurney has died, aged 91

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Summary of story from The Telegraph, medical August 16, ask 2011

British artist Sophie Gurney, search the great-granddaughter of Charles Darwin and daughter of woodcutter Gwen Raverat, has died.

Her family was linked to many leading intellectual and cultural figures of the early 20th century, including Stanley Spencer and Vanessa Bell. Her father was the painter Jacques Raverat.

Raised in an interesting artistic milleu, she married twice and had four children. Her surviving children are artists Lucy Raverat, Nelly Pryor and William Pryor, beat poet, dadaist and writer.

She initially studied the violin and entered the Royal College of Music, then turned to medicine, but gave that up on marrying. She played in orchestras and chamber groups throughout her life.

As an artist she favoured brightly coloured, synthesised variations on natural forms, eventually working with layers, using both gouache and printmaking, and becoming a member of the 21 Group of West Country artists.

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