The Life in the Studio

by Nancy Hale

The daughter of artists details the lives of her parents and her struggle to find her own identity.

Genres: Memoir, Art

209 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Nancy Hale was an American novelist and short-story writer. She received the O. Henry Award, a Benjamin Franklin magazine award, and the Henry H. Bellaman Foundation Award for fiction.

Reviews

[Mike Zickar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful memoir written by noted author Nancy Hale reflecting on her life with two (relatively) famous parents, the early 20th Century painters Lilian Westcott Hale and Philip Hale. The chapters were nearly all originally published in magazines like the New Yorker and so each chapter has a stand-alone feel that makes the book read easily, though there is perhaps less continuity than a traditional memoir chronologically organized.

The stories are often whimsical, though often just as touching and sentimental (in a good way). I read the book to learn more about Lilian Westcott Hale and there was plenty of personal information as well as a significant amount of anecdotal information that could help one understand her art better. But this is not really art history (and certainly not art criticism), more a tribute to two idiosyncratic and loving parents.

It's a real oversight that there hasn't been a traditional art history work focused on either of the Hales. When one is written, it will rely heavily on this touching book.

[Sarah Hart]

So great that as soon as I finished it I read it again.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Hale's father Philip was a painter, art critic, and teacher. Her mother, Lillian Westcott Hale, was a portrait painter. She grew up in a house not only permeated with art, but glowing with the joy of making art. This memoir is full of that joy. I think it's gone out of print, which is a damned shame.

[Julia Rossina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at the beginning of May and absolutely loved it. I think Nancy Hale is one of my favorite writers. I love her style, which is neat, laconic and precise.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very touching group of stories about Nancy Hale's artist parents and how her impression of them changed over the years. Some of these were first published in the New Yorker in the 1950s and 60s. Very poignant reexamining of their true natures as Nancy clears out the residue of their lives from their art studios after their deaths. Enjoyed the sharp contrast of the artist life with my own. Superb and amusing description of how stuff matters. Intriguing New England family ties to Edward Everett Hale and Nathan Hale.

[Margo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look into the life of an artist seen through the eyes of her daughter.