By Beatrice Wood
90 Pages | 29 B&W photos | 38 color illustrations
Size: 6" x 9" | Binding: soft cover
Written in 1930, The Angel Who Wore Black Tights is Beatrice Wood’s account of a trip to hear J. Krishnamurti speak in the Netherlands with her close friend Helen Freeman. They were part of a select group of guests to join Krishnamurti at Castle Eerde, in advance of a large event, with hundreds of individuals camping near the castle.
Built in 1715, on the site of the original 14th century castle, Castle Eerde belonged to Baron Philip van Pallandt, an avid follower of Krishnamurti. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Baron deeded the castle to Krishnamurti, who presented large speaking events there. He ultimately delivering a speech bringing to an end his role as The World Teacher at Castle Eerde – leading to the return of the castle to the Baron.
The Angel Who Wore Black Tights juxtaposes the adventures of the two young women and their attempts to embrace Krishnamurti’s teachings. Alternately insightful and humorous, the book captures Wood’s life, and the times. Illustrated by Beatrice Wood, this edition of the book also features vintage photographs of the event, J. Krishnamurti, and Castle Eerde, many never before published.
The Author:
Rebellious, radical, and romantic, Beatrice Wood defied propriety to become a true national treasure. Born in San Francisco in 1893, she studied and acted in Paris during her early twenties. She returned to New York in 1914 where she became romantically involved with the Dadaist Marcel Duchamp. Her friends and acquaintances throughout her lifetime included key cultural figures like Constantin Brancusi, Isadora Duncan, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Anais Nin, Krishnamurti, and many others. After a disastrous marriage, financial woes, and a debilitating physical affliction, at the age of 40 she studied ceramics and went on to become one of the major ceramicists of the 20th century. Her work became increasingly daring and experimental, leading to the creation—in her nineties—of her signature pieces.