Celebrating life and legacy of Anita Brookner
Anita Brookner (16 July 1928 – 10 March 2016) was an English novelist and art historian. Anita Brookner was awarded the Booker Prize for her debut novel.
Early Life And Education
Anita Brookner, an acclaimed English novelist and art historian, was born on July 16, 1928, in Herne Hill, London. She was the only child of Polish Jewish immigrants; her father, Newson Bruckner, came from Piotrków Trybunalski, and her mother, Maude Schiska, was a singer with roots in Warsaw. The family changed their surname to Brookner due to anti-German sentiment after World War I. Anita’s early life was marked by solitude, which was compounded by her parents hosting Jewish refugees during the 1930s and World War II. Despite this, she excelled academically, attending James Allen’s Girls’ School and later earning a BA in history from King’s College London in 1949. Her intellectual pursuits continued at the Courtauld Institute of Art, where she completed a doctorate in art history under the supervision of Anthony Blunt. Brookner’s thesis on the French painter Jean-Baptiste Greuze was so impressive that it was upgraded to a doctorate. Her academic excellence was further recognized when she received a French government scholarship to study at the École du Louvre, spending a significant part of the 1950s in Paris.
Career And Achievements
Anita Brookner was the first woman to hold the Slade Professorship of Fine Art at the University of Cambridge from 1967 to 1968. Brookner’s notable contributions to literature were recognized when she was awarded the prestigious Booker Prize in 1984 for her novel “Hotel du Lac”. Her academic prowess was equally significant; she earned a BA in history from King’s College London and a doctorate in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art. Brookner’s expertise in 18th-century French art and the romantics was highly regarded, and she shared her knowledge through her role as a Reader at the Courtauld Institute until her retirement in 1988. Her literary career was marked by a novel a year for two decades, earning her numerous awards, including the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and a second Booker Prize nomination for “The Next Big Thing” in 2002. Brookner’s legacy continues to influence both the literary and art historical fields, leaving behind a rich tapestry of scholarly and fictional works that reflect her deep understanding of human loneliness and societal alienation. Her passing on March 10, 2016, marked the end of an era, but her works remain a testament to her intellectual and creative achievements.
Notable Events And Milestones
Anita Brookner pursued a BA in history from King’s College London in 1949 and later earned a Ph.D. in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art in 1953. Her academic career was distinguished by her role as the first woman to hold the Slade Professorship of Fine Art at the University of Cambridge in 1967-68, a testament to her expertise and trailblazing spirit. Brookner’s scholarly work, particularly in French art, was highly regarded, with notable publications such as ‘The Genius of the Future: Studies in French Art Criticism’ (1971), ‘Greuze: The Rise and Fall of an Eighteenth-Century Phenomenon’ (1972), and ‘Jacques-Louis David’ (1980). These contributions significantly advanced the understanding of 18th-century French art and its broader cultural implications. Her transition to fiction writing in the 1980s marked a new phase in her career, with her first novel, ‘A Start in Life,’ published in 1981 when she was 53 years old. Brookner’s fiction often explored themes of loneliness and societal alienation, particularly among middle-aged women, and was known for its acute psychological insight and elegant prose.
Her fourth novel, ‘Hotel du Lac,’ won the Booker Prize in 1984, an accolade that underscored her literary prowess and brought her international acclaim. Brookner’s novels, including ‘Latecomers’ (1988) and ‘The Next Big Thing’ (2002), continued to delve into the lives of individuals grappling with emotional and existential dilemmas, reflecting her deep understanding of human nature and the complexities of modern life. Anita Brookner’s legacy extends beyond her written works. As a professor and mentor, she influenced a generation of art historians and writers. Her novels, with their nuanced character studies and exploration of moral and psychological themes, have left an indelible mark on modern literature. They challenge readers to consider the subtleties of human relationships and the often-unseen struggles of those who feel out of step with the world around them. Brookner’s portrayal of characters, often reflective of her own experiences as the child of immigrants and as a woman in academia, resonates with many who find themselves navigating the margins of society.
In recognition of her contributions to literature and art history, Brookner was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1990. Her impact on culture and society is multifaceted, encompassing her scholarly work that enriched the understanding of art history, her literary oeuvre that offered profound insights into the human condition, and her role as a pioneer for women in academia. Anita Brookner’s life and work remain a testament to the enduring power of intellectual pursuit and artistic expression.
Awards And Honors
Below are the prestigious awards and honors received:
- Booker Prize (1984) for the novel “Hotel du Lac”.
- Appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1990.
- First woman to hold the Slade Professorship of Fine Art at the University of Cambridge (1967-1968)
- Damehood, a title of honor in the British honors system (1990)
Additional Resources
Books by Anita Brookner:
- “Hotel du Lac” – Winner of the Booker Prize in 1984.
- “A Start in Life” – Brookner’s first novel, published in 1981.
- “Falling Slowly” – A novel exploring themes of loneliness and relationships.
- “Undue Influence” – A story of a young woman’s complex relationship with an older man.
- “Visitors” – A novel that delves into the life of a widow hosting a young couple.
Documentaries:
- “Anita Brookner on Art: 100 Great Paintings” – A BBC Four compilation of Brookner’s insights on some of the world’s greatest paintings.
Museums:
- The Courtauld Institute of Art, London – Where Brookner worked and which houses photographs taken by her in its Conway Library.
- King’s College London – Brookner’s alma mater, which may have archives or exhibitions related to her work.
Essays and Academic Work:
- “Romanticism and its Discontents” – A book by Brookner examining the Romantic movement.
- “Soundings” – A collection of essays by Brookner.
For those interested in exploring Anita Brookner’s contributions to art history and literature, these resources provide a comprehensive starting point. Her novels often explore themes of solitude, emotional complexity, and the inner lives of women, while her academic work offers insights into art history, particularly 18th-century French art.
Read More: Anita Brookner Quotes
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