102
Simon Elwes RA (1902-1975)
Estimate:
€800 - €1,200
Sold
€2,400
Live Auction
Irish & International Art Auction
ARTIST
Simon Elwes RA (1902-1975)
Size
24 by 20in. (61 by 50.8cm)
Description
Title: INTERIOR
Note: Lt. Col. Simon Edmund Vincent Paul Elwes, RP, RA, KM was a British war artist and society portrait painter whose patrons included presidents, kings, queens, statesmen, sportsmen, prominent social figures and many members of the British Royal Family. In 1918, Elwes attended the Slade School of Fine Art and afterwards spent eight years in Paris. In 1920 he began studying at Andre Lhote's Academy in Montparnasse where fellow students included Henri Cartier-Bresson among others. While there he did a black and white drawing of the Irish tenor Count John McCormack, who is said to have commented to his wife, "This lad has remarkable talent and will do big things, mark my words."From France Elwes visited art galleries in Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. In 1922, Elwes sailed to New York, where he drew President Harding from life. The 1920s and 30s were dominated with portrait commissions. At the outbreak of World War II, Elwes initially joined the Welsh Guards. He was later transferred to the 10th Royal Hussars and was stationed in North Africa and Egypt serving as a lieutenant colonel. After fighting in the battles of Benghazi, Mersa Matruh and Knightsbridge, he was made an official war artist by the local Army command. In 1945 he suffered a stroke but later learned to paint with his left hand and continued to receive commissions. In 1947, he visited Hollywood and painted a number of movie stars including Gloria Swanson and Bert Lahr and in 1953, was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, to paint the 1948 investiture of her daughter, then Princess Elizabeth with the Order of the Garter by her father King George VI. The next year he would paint a full-length portrait of the Queen, which remains part of the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle. 1956 he was appointed ARA and a full member of the Royal Academy in 1967. Besides the Queen he painted King George VI, Princess Margaret and the Duchess of Kent and by 1960, had painted every member of the Royal Family except the Duke of Windsor. Elwes died in August 1975, in West Sussex.
Note: Lt. Col. Simon Edmund Vincent Paul Elwes, RP, RA, KM was a British war artist and society portrait painter whose patrons included presidents, kings, queens, statesmen, sportsmen, prominent social figures and many members of the British Royal Family. In 1918, Elwes attended the Slade School of Fine Art and afterwards spent eight years in Paris. In 1920 he began studying at Andre Lhote's Academy in Montparnasse where fellow students included Henri Cartier-Bresson among others. While there he did a black and white drawing of the Irish tenor Count John McCormack, who is said to have commented to his wife, "This lad has remarkable talent and will do big things, mark my words."From France Elwes visited art galleries in Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. In 1922, Elwes sailed to New York, where he drew President Harding from life. The 1920s and 30s were dominated with portrait commissions. At the outbreak of World War II, Elwes initially joined the Welsh Guards. He was later transferred to the 10th Royal Hussars and was stationed in North Africa and Egypt serving as a lieutenant colonel. After fighting in the battles of Benghazi, Mersa Matruh and Knightsbridge, he was made an official war artist by the local Army command. In 1945 he suffered a stroke but later learned to paint with his left hand and continued to receive commissions. In 1947, he visited Hollywood and painted a number of movie stars including Gloria Swanson and Bert Lahr and in 1953, was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, to paint the 1948 investiture of her daughter, then Princess Elizabeth with the Order of the Garter by her father King George VI. The next year he would paint a full-length portrait of the Queen, which remains part of the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle. 1956 he was appointed ARA and a full member of the Royal Academy in 1967. Besides the Queen he painted King George VI, Princess Margaret and the Duchess of Kent and by 1960, had painted every member of the Royal Family except the Duke of Windsor. Elwes died in August 1975, in West Sussex.
Medium
oil on canvas
Signature
signed lower left
