The Slade and ensuing success

Beginnings in the East End

Having quickly established a reputation as the new ‘girl genius’, Klinghoffer gained a bursary to the Slade School of Fine Art (1918–20) under Professor Henry Tonks. While still a student, recommended by Alfred Wolmark along with her other mentors Jacob Epstein and Meninsky, she held her first exhibition at the Hampstead Art Gallery in 1920 (commonly misrecorded as 1919) which met with a flurry of critical praise and publicity.

Further solo exhibitions at prestigious London galleries followed, including the Leicester Galleries (1923, 1932), the Redfern Galleries (six times from 1919 until 1938) and Grosvenor Galleries (1922, 1924). Klinghoffer also exhibited with the the New English Art Club (NEAC), the Goupil Gallery Salon, the London Group, the Women’s International Club, the Royal Academy and the Carnegie International.

Klinghoffer’s work was also included in exhibitions of 'Jewish Artists' (1923) and 'Jewish Art and Antiquities' (1927) at the Whitechapel Gallery, although she personally did not want to be confined by these labels.

Four Sisters (Rose, Fannie, Rachel, and baby Hilda), 1918

Oil on canvas

Private collection. © The artist’s estate

The Daily Graphic hailed Klinghoffer’s debut exhibition in 1920 with the headline, ‘Girl Who Draws Like Raphael – Success At 19’. Her work was often compared to that of the Old Masters, causing Klinghoffer to become exasperated by 'endless comparison of Leonardo'.

Emma, c. 1920

Private collection. © The artist’s estate

In the Dress Shop, c.1920

Oil on canvas

Private collection. © The artist’s estate

Considered to be picturing Klinghoffer's sisters Bertha and Leah.

The sensitive use of brushstrokes to create an almost shimmering effect is typical of Klinghoffer’s style, exemplifying her skill as a portraitist. A similar technique and can be found in 'The Girl in a Green Sari' (1926).