What this exhibition reveals is that, beneath the civic and Establishment constrictions laid on him, he was a painter of emotional empathy and lyricism.
Sir Oswald Birley (1880 -1952) was one of Britain’s most successful portrait painters. From 1919 until the early 1950s he was the go-to artist of the time, commissioned by the Royal family, the aristocracy, politicians, artists, scientists –leading figures of their day. His work hangs in many of the UK’s major palaces, country houses, institutions and private homes; his paintings rarely leave the walls which they were designed to adorn. A show held at Philip Mould & Company gallery in Pall Mall, London from 26 September – 10 October 2017 will assemble 50 of Birley’s most iconic portraits and will present an opportunity to review the work of an artist who made an immense contribution to the painted record of 20th century art. Robin Birley, Sir Oswald’s grandson, has initiated this exhibition. He says: “I grew up surrounded by my grandfather’s paintings and I am a huge admirer of his work. I believe it is time for his artistic legacy...
Sir Oswald Birley (1880 -1952) was one of Britain’s most successful portrait painters. From 1919 until the early 1950s he was the go-to artist of the time, commissioned by the Royal family, the aristocracy, politicians, artists, scientists –leading figures of their day. His work hangs in many of the UK’s major palaces, country houses, institutions and private homes; his paintings rarely leave the walls which they were designed to adorn.
A show held at Philip Mould & Company gallery in Pall Mall, London from 26 September – 10 October 2017 will assemble 50 of Birley’s most iconic portraits and will present an opportunity to review the work of an artist who made an immense contribution to the painted record of 20thcentury art.
Robin Birley, Sir Oswald’s grandson, has initiated this exhibition. He says: “I grew up surrounded by my grandfather’s paintings and I am a huge admirer of his work. I believe it is time for his artistic legacy to be appreciated by today’s generation. I’m delighted that Philip Mould & Company will be making these pictures available for a wider audience to view.”
Philip Mould said: “As specialists in the world of portraiture it is a privilege to be able to show these rarely seen pictures. Birley is one of those English artists ripe for reappraisal. He was a master of his craft and of a legacy of society portraiture that traces its origins to Holbein, Van Dyck and Velazquez. Here is a chance to re-meet some of his faces who so imprinted Britain's inter-war years".
