Francis Cyril Rose facts for kids

Francis Cyril Rose (1909–1979) was an English painter. He was also known as Sir Francis, 4th Baronet of the Montreal Roses. A famous writer named Gertrude Stein strongly supported his art. His wife, Frederica, Lady Rose (1910–2002), became a well-known travel writer, especially about Corsica, using the name Dorothy Carrington.

Early Life and Training

Francis Rose was born in Moor Park, Hertfordshire, England, in 1909. He moved to Paris, France, and lived there from 1929 to 1936. During this time, he learned from famous artists like Francis Picabia and José Maria Sert.

Rose started his career painting sets for the Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, a famous ballet company. He sometimes worked with another English painter, Christopher Wood. In the 1930s, he traveled through France, Italy, and North Africa with Dorothy Carrington, who would later become his wife.

Working with Famous Artists

In France, Francis Rose became good friends with Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Gertrude Stein helped start his painting career. She asked him to paint several artworks, including a portrait of herself, for her large art collection.

Gertrude Stein's famous quote, "Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose", was said in 1913. This was long before she met Francis Rose. He later had art shows in Paris, London, and New York. Rose also drew pictures for a cookbook written by Alice B. Toklas, called The Alice B. Toklas Cookbook.

Later Life and Legacy

Francis Rose married the writer Dorothy Carrington in 1942. Alice B. Toklas was very happy about their marriage. She felt it was good for Rose. However, their marriage later ended, and they divorced in 1966.

In his final years, Rose faced financial difficulties. Friends, including the photographer Cecil Beaton, helped him. Today, some of Francis Rose's paintings are part of the Yale University Art Gallery (in the Stein-Toklas collection). Others are at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. In 1961, he wrote a book about his life called Saying Life.

He also made a short appearance in the film Lucifer Rising (1972) by Kenneth Anger. In the movie, he played a character called "Lord Chaos."

Images for kids

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  The coat of arms for the Rose family of Montreal.