The paintings had belonged to Hartley’s long-time housekeeper, Evelyn Cooper, who died last year.
One depicts the view from Countersett looking towards Semerwater; another shows a scene near Hardraw looking towards Blue Bridge; and the third captures the road looking down to Thwaite in Swaledale.
Evelyn’s son, James Cooper, recalled his mother’s years working for Miss Hartley and her collaborator, Joan Ingilby.
“It was about 1962 when mother went to work part time for Miss Hartley and Miss Ingilby – two hours a day – when we lived in Askrigg,” he said. “Once we were packed off to school, mother would go to Coleshouse, wash the breakfast pots, make them coffee and do some dusting around and what have you.
“She was there for a good thirty years. It was always ‘Miss Hartley’ and ‘Miss Ingilby’, they were that class of people, and Mother was always ‘Mrs Cooper’ to them. There were times when I would go to the house, when they were out interviewing for their books or painting, but I wasn’t allowed to run about.”
Although Marie Hartley bequeathed her wood engraving blocks — used to illustrate her celebrated Yorkshire Dales books produced with Ella Pontefract and Joan Ingilby — along with personal items, sketchbooks and diaries, the museum has until now not owned any of her paintings.
The newly acquired artworks will be displayed in the museum’s New Time Gallery, alongside the umbrella Hartley used when working outdoors.
Martin Garside, chair of the Friends group, said members were particularly pleased to support the purchase.
“For many years we have played a role in providing financial support for acquisition purchases and match funding for projects – and we were particularly delighted to do so on this occasion, given that the museum is a huge part of Marie Hartley’s legacy,” he said.
“Everyone will have their favourite but it’s hard not to be drawn to the painting of Thwaite in Swaledale, which is expertly composed, full of vivid contrasts, and includes people within it – two men on the bridge, and a woman and child.
“It was the stories of local people that fascinated Marie Hartley and which led to her founding the collection and the museum.”
The museum is run by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
Neil Heseltine, the authority’s member champion for promoting understanding, said: “Marie Hartley perhaps did more than anyone to promote understanding and enjoyment of the Yorkshire Dales.
“People today still love her books and illustrations; her works continue to inspire people to discover Dales landscapes and people.
“Thanks to the Friends of the Dales Countryside Museum, we can put these three paintings on display and I’m sure they will be much enjoyed.”
