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Edward Burra
Edward Burra original drawing 'The harbour at low time', British, 20th Century

$11,582.78
£8,500
€10,018.11
CA$15,941.21
A$17,768.13
CHF 9,322.33
MX$216,977.89
NOK 118,040.97
SEK 111,566.68
DKK 74,769.51

About the Item

Edward Burra CBE (British, 1905 – 1976) The harbour at low time pencil on paper signed with studio stamp ‘E.J. Burra’ (lower right) 21.3/4 x 30 in. (55.3 x 76 cm.) Provenance: Sothebys London, works from the estate of Edward Burra, Lady Richie of Dundee and associated owners, 3rd July 2002, lot 216 Edward Burra was a singular voice in 20th-century British art—celebrated for his highly individual drawings and watercolours depicting everything from Harlem nightlife to English coastal towns. Born in London and educated at the Chelsea School of Art and the Royal College of Art, Burra developed a keen eye for detail and a gift for capturing the spirit of a place or figure with subtle wit and remarkable precision. Although often associated with Surrealism and the English avant-garde, Burra worked almost exclusively in watercolour and pencil, creating compositions that were both observational and fantastical. Chronic illness throughout his life shaped his practice—he worked primarily on paper in formats that suited his physical limitations but allowed great expressive freedom. This pencil drawing of a harbour scene reflects Burra’s deep fascination with coastal life and maritime landscapes, subjects he frequently explored throughout his career. Rendered in delicate yet confident line, the work captures the quiet rhythm and architectural charm of a portside environment. It demonstrates Burra’s ability to find intrigue in the everyday—transforming an unassuming harbour into a scene layered with atmosphere and quiet narrative. Burra’s drawings are now held in major institutions including Tate Britain, MoMA, and the British Museum. Though somewhat reclusive in his lifetime, he is today regarded as one of Britain’s most original draughtsmen—his work a vivid record of both the theatrical and the ordinary.
  • Creator:
    Edward Burra (1905 - 1976, British)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 21.75 in (55.25 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Some discolouration, possibly from studio. Very faint creasing, Recently presented in a giltwood frame, hand finished with a black outer edge and stepped wooden slip in light grey.
  • Gallery Location:
    Petworth, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU540316578752

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