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Herbert Johnson Harvey
Herbert Johnson Harvey, The Whisper, Self-Portrait, Pastel

c. 1920

About the Item

This early 20th-century pastel by Herbert Johnson Harvey (1884-1928) depicts the artist dressed in traditional peasant clothing while surreptitiously whispering. Harvey carried an admiration for the old masters, which was instilled by his father, the artist John Rabone Harvey. His works are steeped in traditional patterns and iconography. Here, we see one of several self-portraits he undertook which portray him akin to a 17th-century Dutch peasant. Its earthy tones and honest handling remind us of Rembrandt and Adriaen van Ostade. It’s an engaging piece with the whisper aimed in our direction. He’s gossiping and we’re involved. Could it be a bawdy tale best kept within the confines of a tavern? Following his father’s early tuition, Harvey enrolled at the Royal College of Art in London and then travelled to Italy to surround himself with works by the Renaissance luminaries. A similar self-portrait is held in the collection at Birmingham Museum. Signed in the lower right and held within a gilt frame. Labels & Inscriptions: Conservator’s label on reverse. Provenance: Private collection, England Artist’s auction maximum: £10,000 Established in 2017, Brave Fine Art is a premier English art dealership based in Cheltenham with clients including national galleries and country estates. Our team includes a conservator, logistics specialist and art historian. Over 1,000 paintings have been transported to the US and Canada safely with hundreds of glowing reviews. We set our prices fairly from the start as we prefer to sell quickly and continually evolve the collection. Around 40 new discoveries are added every month. If you have any questions at all, we’d love to hear from you.
  • Creator:
    Herbert Johnson Harvey (1884 - 1928, British)
  • Creation Year:
    c. 1920
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 32.5 in (82.55 cm)Width: 25.5 in (64.77 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Artwork presents well. Frame with some light wear.
  • Gallery Location:
    Cheltenham, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2328213469802
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