Items Similar to Two Figures 1939 - British Surrealist art figurative painting
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 19
Blair Hughes StantonTwo Figures 1939 - British Surrealist art figurative painting1939
1939
$24,429.80
£18,000
€21,014.54
CA$34,212.72
A$37,520.83
CHF 19,433.15
MX$450,842.28
NOK 244,709.69
SEK 229,667.04
DKK 156,998.14
About the Item
This superb British 1930's modern art tempera Surrealist painting is by noted interwar artist Blair Hughes-Stanton. Painted in 1939 it is entitled two Figures 1939 verso and may relate to Ida Graves, poet, novelist and associate of the Bloomsbury group with whom Hughes-Stanton started the Gemini Press in 1933 and had two children. The painting echoes the influence of Picasso and Stanton's interest in the female form. It is an excellent vibrant example of his work.
Signed and dated lower right 'H-S 39'. Titled to label attached to the reverse.
Provenance. The Estate of the Artist.
Inscribed on canvas verso.
James Bourlet label verso.
Condition. Tempera on canvas. Image size is 25 inches by 20 inches and in good condition.
Frame. Housed in a complementary gallery frame, 30 inches by 25 inches and in good condition.
Blair Rowlands Hughes-Stanton (22 February 1902 – 6 June 1981) was a major figure in the English wood-engraving revival in the twentieth century. He was the son of the artist Sir Herbert Hughes-Stanton. He exhibited with the Society of Wood Engravers, but was more in sympathy with the philosophy of the English Wood Engraving Society, of which he was a founding member in 1925. He co-directed the Gregynog Press from 1930 to 1933 with his wife, Gertrude Hermes. Hughes Stanton was one of the most acclaimed artists in Britain during the interwar era, known for his role in the revival of wood engraving in Modern art. He studied under Leon Underwood at his Brook Green School alongside Henry Moore and Eileen Agar, where he developed a unique visual language, creating works that were a celebration of love and physicality. Alongside his first wife, Gertrude Hermes, Hughes Stanton became a much sought-after book illustrator, his wood engravings featuring in books by his friend D.H. Lawrence and T.E. Lawrences 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom'. The Myth series of paintings relates to the artist's relationship with Ida Graves, poet, novelist and associate of the Bloomsbury Group, with whom Hughes-Stanton started the Gemini Press in 1933. Their first book together was 'Epithalamion: a poem'. At the age of 13 Hughes-Stanton, unable to face the prospect of home life with his three sisters, joined the Royal Navy training ship HMS Coway. At the age of 19 he switched direction completely after a conversation with his father, the Royal Academician Sir Herbert Hughes-Stanton, and joined the Byam Shaw School of Art. There he came under the influence of Leon Underwood and, in 1921, he moved to Underwood's Brook Green School. In 1922 he joined the Royal Academy Schools, but Underwood remained the dominant influence on him. At Brook Green the American wood engraver Marion Mitchell introduced him to wood-engraving, which set the direction of his life. Underwood and he were kindred spirits, to such an extent that, in 1925, Underwood left Hughes-Stanton in charge of the Brook Green School when he went to America. Hughes-Stanton met Eric Kennington, who introduced him to T. E. Lawrence. Hughes-Stanton was commissioned to engrave ten tail-pieces for the monumental limited edition of The Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1926). Some extra special copies had a full-page engraving by Hughes-Stanton for the dedicatory poem to "S.A.". Other commissions followed and, in the next few years, he illustrated with wood engravings three tall folios for the Cresset Press – The Pilgrim's Progress (1928), The Apocrypha (1929) and D. H. Lawrence's Birds, Beasts and Flowers (1930). Although he did some work in oils and spent a great deal of time experimenting with linocuts in his later years, Hughes-Stanton's artistic production consists mostly of wood engravings. He is known for the very fine white lines of his engravings, which presented considerable difficulty to pressmen trying to print his engravings on hard handmade paper. The engravings are frequently of the female form, and contemporary judgements ranged from erotic to pornographic. Towards the end of his career his engravings featured semi-abstract figures. Examples of his fine cutting and individual style can be seen at the British Council website.
- Creator:Blair Hughes Stanton (1902 - 1981, British)
- Creation Year:1939
- Dimensions:Height: 25 in (63.5 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Hagley, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU853117094682
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
1stDibs seller since 2018
466 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Hagley, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllPortrait of Two Seated Nude Women - British Modernist 1930's oil painting
By Lionel Ellis
Located in Hagley, England
This lovely British Modernist portrait oil painting is by noted artist Lionel Ellis. The painting comes from a collection of works by the artist, previously owned by his wife. Painte...
Category
1930s Modern Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Myth III - British 1936 Modern art tempera painting Ida Graves poet family
By Blair Hughes-Stanton
Located in Hagley, England
This superb British 1930's modern art tempera painting is by noted interwar artist Blair Hughes-Stanton. Painted in 1936 it is part of the myth se...
Category
1930s Modern Figurative Paintings
Materials
Egg Tempera
Blair Hughes-StantonMyth III - British 1936 Modern art tempera painting Ida Graves poet family, 1936
$19,543 Sale Price
20% Off
Conceptual Abstract V - British sixties art oil painting female artist
By Penelope Ellis
Located in Hagley, England
This striking conceptual abstract oil painting is by British artist Penelope Ellis. It was painted in 1963. A superb image and ahead of the conceptual ideas of the swinging sixties a...
Category
1960s Conceptual Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
$3,474 Sale Price
20% Off
Conceptual Abstract IV - British Sixties abstract art oil painting female artist
By Penelope Ellis
Located in Hagley, England
This striking conceptual abstract oil painting is by British artist Penelope Ellis. It was painted in 1962. A superb image and ahead of the conceptual ideas of the swinging sixties a...
Category
1960s Conceptual Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
Conceptual Abstract III - British sixties art oil painting female artist
By Penelope Ellis
Located in Hagley, England
This striking conceptual abstract oil painting is by British artist Penelope Ellis. It was painted in 1963. A superb image and ahead of the conceptual ideas of the swinging sixties a...
Category
1960s Conceptual Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
$3,474 Sale Price
20% Off
Conceptual Abstract I - British sixties art oil painting female artist
By Penelope Ellis
Located in Hagley, England
This striking conceptual abstract oil painting is by British artist Penelope Ellis. It was painted in 1962. A superb image and ahead of the conceptual ideas of the swinging sixties a...
Category
1960s Conceptual Abstract Paintings
Materials
Oil
$3,474 Sale Price
20% Off
You May Also Like
Two Figures By Bruno Paoli - Figurative Painting
Located in Carmel, CA
Certificate of authenticity and artist catalogue are included.
Bruno Paoli (1915-2005)
Teaching the masters helped create this contemporary master.
Bruno was a professor of art in F...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Blair Hughes-Stanton 'Reclining Nude' abstract oil painting British Surrealism
By Blair Hughes-Stanton
Located in London, GB
To see our other Modern British Art, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find the artist you want.
Blair Hughes-Stanton (1902-1981)
Reclining Nude, c. 1936
Tempera on canvas
76.5 x 102 cm
Signed lower right 'Blair H S'.
Provenance: The estate of the artist.
A magnificent abstract nude rendered in a dynamic colour palette. This is probably Hughes-Stanton's most important work, and belongs to the nation's great, if brief, period of British Surrealism. The three major elements are distinct: the pastel tones of the window view and wall, the sensual curvatures of the pale nude, and the bold foreground featuring a fantastically accomplished still life of a fruit bowl (which could be a painting in and of itself) and the impressively phallic chair back. This is a brilliant example of erotic modernist abstraction.
Blair Hughes-Stanton, son of the artist Sir Herbert Hughes-Stanton, was a noted British artist of the interwar period. At the age of 13 he joined the Royal Navy training ship HMS Coway, but at 19 - advised by his father - he abandoned the sea for his paintbox. He studied art at Byam Shaw School (1919-1922) where he was influenced by Leon Underwood (who was a major influence throughout his studying), Royal Academy Schools (1922-23), and Leon Underwood's School (1923-25). He was celebrated mostly for his skills as an engraver, and was a founding member of the English Wood Engraving Society when it was established in 1925. His first wife was the printmaker Gertrude Hermes...
Category
Early 20th Century Modern Nude Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Tempera
Two Seated Nudes, Framed Surrealist Gouache by Handel Evans
By Handel Evans
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Handel Evans, British (1932-1999)
Title: Two Seated Nudes
Year: 1972
Medium: Gouache on Paper, signed and dated l.r.
Size: 9.5 x 12.5 in. (24.13 x 31.75 cm)
Frame: 17.25 x ...
Category
1970s Surrealist Figurative Paintings
Materials
Gouache
Marion Maas Modernist Painting of Two Women
Located in New York, NY
Marion Maas (American, b. 1930)
Peggy - Brown + Gray, c. 1980s
Oil on canvas
Framed: 24 1/8 x 30 1/8 x 1 1/2 in.
Signed lower right
Titled verso on stretch...
Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
A large, Cubist 20th Century oil painting of two nudes
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Jean Maurice Lasnier (French, 1922 – 2006)
Deux grandes nues cubisantes
Oil on board
Signed on the reverse under the backboard
38.1/4 x 25.5/8 in....
Category
20th Century Cubist Nude Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
French 'Two Figures' Oil on Canvas Painting by Pierre Fulcrand, 1960s
By Pierre Fulcrand
Located in Chicago, IL
A captivating study in form and abstraction, this oil on canvas painting by Pierre Fulcrand explores the fluidity and dynamism of human figures. Rendered in a bold palette of deep re...
Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood
