20th Century Portrait Paintings

Dame Ethel Walker DBE ARA (1861-1951) Young Man in a Red Tie Oil on canvas 51 x 40.6 cm.; (within frame) 70 x 59.7 cm. Provenance: The Lefevre Gallery, London, stock number X890; Christie’s, London, Modern British Pictures, Watercolours, Drawings and Sculpture, 12 September 1996, lot 58; Bonhams, London, Modern British and Irish Art, 23 November 2022, lot 177; Private Collection, United Kingdom. This focussed composition is dominated by a handsome young man in profile, frowning with a concentrated glare. His slender cheeks meet a jaw brushed with a masculine grey, complimented by the blue of a flower or pocket square, and the shadow of a loose strand of oiled hair that rests across his forehead. The stylistic sophistication shows Walker at her best, ambitiously combining measured figuration with expressive abstraction, as delicious dashes of pigment appear still wet, and dissonant swipes energetically mark the surface of the canvas. With an elegance that borders on the effete, the sitter’s urbane style includes a spearpoint collar, framed by the wide lapels of his suit jacket. Most significantly, the young man’s dandyish fashion is augmented by the conspicuous titular red tie which he wears – an established expression of queerness in the 20th century. Painted by the lesbian artist Dame Ethel Walker, it is likely that the portrait is that of a gay man belonging to London’s queer artistic circles. Indeed, Walker’s male sitters (who constitute but a fraction of her output) are typically conceived as modish, and often wear striking colourful ties. Walker was one of the earliest lesbian artists to overtly explore her sexuality in her works, and an aesthetic fascination with the female form culminated with her glorious large-scale ‘decorations’, exemplified by Decoration: The Excursion of Nausicaa (Tate, N03885). Red neckties had been established in the 20th century as a coded (though appropriately colourful) expression of queerness, not dissimilar to the green carnation of the Wildean aesthetes. The gay writer and musician Mikhail Kuzmin was painted in 1909 in a stark red tie. Two decades later, the Anglo-French physician Havelock Ellis described the red necktie as an emblem amongst queer New Yorkers: ‘[…] there has been a fashion for a red tie to be adopted by inverts [homosexuals] as their badge’ (Ellis, p. 299). The motif permeated fiction, and in Thomas Mann’s 1912 novel Death In Venice, the protagonist Gustav von Aschenbach begins to wear a red necktie after he develops an infatuation with a beautiful young boy staying at his hotel. William Faulkner’s 1929 novel The Sound and the Fury includes an unnamed male character identified throughout by his distinctive red necktie, which is the subject of veiled insinuations against his masculinity. Walker must surely have been familiar with this symbolic importance when she executed the present portrait. Her few portraits of male sitters include colourful neckties almost exclusively, and include numerous examples of red neckties. Indeed, the artist herself preferred to wear a red tie, a declaration which so impressed itself on Virginia Woolf that she noted it in a diary entry after tea with Walker (Bell, p. 282). Walker, who painted Woolf’s sister Vanessa Bell, had once offered to paint Woolf in the nude, as Lilith. Around the same time, Augustus John painted the gay peer Evan Morgan, 2nd Viscount Tredegar, in a loose red necktie or neck scarf. The portrait passed through the Lefevre Gallery, which also represented Walker, and which inventoried the present work. While the sartorial choice may have been incidental, a colourful accessory chosen to enliven the portrait, its prominent inclusion would suggest a personal significance to Walker, the recognition of a shared experience between artist and subject. Dame Ethel Walker was hailed as a leading female artist of her generation, and as late as 2010 was one of only four women artists to have been honoured as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Walker was born in Edinburgh in 1861 to the botanist Arthur Abney Walker, a descendent of the Walker family of iron industrialists, whose estates included Clifton House (Rotherham) and Blythe Hall (Nottinghamshire). She attended school in London after the family moved to Wimbledon, and in 1880 met the fellow artist Clara Christian, with whom she would form an important personal and professional bond. The women’s relationship was later allegorised by the writer George Moore as that of Stella (Christian) and Florence (Walker) in his fictionalised three-volume memoir Hail and Farewell. Walker went on to Putney School of Art and Westminster School of Art, and studied under Frederick Brown, who became a lifelong mentor. Around 1893 Walker took further study at the Slade School of Art, partly under Walter Sickert, and returned in 1912, 1916, and 1921. Although Walker enjoyed painting floral still lifes and seascapes, her best work was portraiture. She worked from her studio at 38 Cheyne Walk for most of her career, and enjoyed a prominent role in London’s artistic milieu. Her sitters included the artists Lucien Pissarro, Orovida Camille Pissarro, Vanessa Bell, and Barbara Hepworth; she painted Nancy Astor, the Countess of Strathcona, the editor Joan Werner Laurie, and author Leo Walmsley. The actors Flora Robson and Elsa Lanchester sat for Walker, as did the young Christopher Robin Milne. Walker herself was photographed by the bisexual photographer and painter Humphrey Spender...

Work on paper sold with a frame

His first name sounds like a concerto. Vivacious, its name is reminiscent of an aperitif or a cyclist. The addition of the two evokes the Italianate. Indomitable and unavoidable. Mor...

This early 20th-century portrait of a Polo Pony by the esteemed English artist George Paice is an exquisite representation of equine artistry, showcasing Paice’s remarkable skill in ...

'Portrait of a Woman with Short Hair', oil on board, by Peter Robert Keil (1983). A wide-eyed woman gazes out to the viewer with a tranquil smile. The colou...

Portrait of Lord Jeffreys of Wem British School, 20th century (presumably after an earlier work) oil painting on canvas, framed framed: 30.5 x 24.5 inches canvas: 26 x 20 inches prov...

'Portrait of a Young Man in a Red Tie', gouache and ink on art paper, French School (1956). Step into the world of mid-20th century European art with a striking portrait that capture...

Oil paint on paper with glass and frame. Signed and certified by the artist.

Etienne Ret Mixed Media Portrait of a Newsboy C.1974 Original mixed media with oil and newspaper Dimensions 16" wide x 21" high The frame measures 25" wide x 31" high Signed and ...

A fine shoulder length portrait of a young woman circa 1940's-1950's Continental School. A fine shoulder length portrait of a young woman circa 1940's-1950's Continental School. oil ...

Frame size 70x61 cm. José Muntané Balaguer (1889 - 1963) Immerse yourself in the spiritual beauty of "Woman Praying," a sublime work by the acclaimed Spanish artist José Muntané Balaguer. This oil on canvas captures the serenity and introspection of faith, showcasing a masterful use of light and shadow reminiscent of great masters such as Joaquín Sorolla, Ignacio Zuloaga, and even the emotional restraint of Diego Velázquez in his most intimate portraits. The painting depicts the purity of a devotional moment, where the female figure seems to transcend the canvas, inviting the viewer to reflect on spirituality and human connection. The meticulous attention to detail and subtlety in expressions place Muntané Balaguer in the tradition of artists who immortalized scenes of everyday life with unique sensitivity, much like Julio Romero de Torres...

European artist, 20th century signed oil on canvas, unframed canvas : 28 x 38 inches provenance: private collection, Wiltshire, England condition: very good and sound condition, stai...

This painting depicts a whimsical portrait of a woman wearing a blue scarf around her head against a green background. The bright colors used and quick brush strokes are what makes t...

'Portrait of a Young Woman', oil on board, by Anna Costa (circa 1960s). This is a beautifully expressive portrait painted by the artist using vibrant colour...

Portrait of Woman with Black Hair and Fringe styling by Anton Sailer (French 1903-1987) Signed & dated 1930 oil on canvas, framed Framed: 23.5 x 18 inches Canvas: 18.5 x 13.5 inches ...

This early 20th-century portrait of a Polo Pony by the esteemed English artist George Paice is an exquisite representation of equine artistry, showcasing Paice’s remarkable skill in ...

This is painting is from the School of Cusco depicting St. Michael the Archangel defeating the devil in battle. It is oil on canvas and is in very goo...

A superb early 20th century French impressionist oil on canvas head and shoulders portrait of an African man wearing a yellow jacket. Excellent quality and condition work, with a pu...

Francis Mabel Hollams (British, 1877–1963) Bumble, 1957 Oil on wood panel With characteristic precision and affection, Francis Mabel Hollams captures the spirit of a beloved compani...

One of the Crew by David W. Haddon (British early 20th century) signed oil on board , framed framed: 18 x 14 inches board: 15 x 12 inches provenance: private collection, England cond...

French Impressionist Oil on Canvas after a painting by Paul Cézanne titled 'Le Jardinier Vallier' (R950, FWN547). The painting is titled and signed 'élève de beaux arts d' Aix' to th...

Laura E. Brumm The painting is beautifully signed and titled on the reverse with the artist's handwriting and address written on the original label. Picture Size: 34 x 16" (86 x 40...

Life Model Posing Whilst Reading, By J.B.Holmes, British artist, 20th Century Oil painting on board, unframed Board size: 12x10 inches Lovely elegant portrayal of model who is posi...

Title: Portrait of a Lady Artist: Rosendo González Carbonell Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 24 x 20 inches (unframed) Condition: Good condition Creation Period: 1970s Signed: Yes,...

This superb British Edwardian Impressionist portrait oil painting is by noted portrait artist James Jebusa Shannon. Painted circa 1906, oil on panel and part of a family collection, it is a half length portrait of a blond lady in lace which is depicted with bold, free brushwork. This is a stunning Edwardian portrait by a much sought after artist, housed in a superb period gilded oak frame. Provenance. Family collection. Condition. Large oil on panel, 30 inches by 20 inches unframed and in fine gallery condition. Housed in a stunning gilded oak frame of the period, 40 inches by 30 inches framed and in good condition. Sir James Jebusa Shannon RA (1862–1923) was an Anglo-American artist. Shannon was born in Auburn, New York...

Info artist : Van Beers studied at the Academy in Antwerp. In 1873, he undertook a trip to London with Alexandre Struys. In 1878, Van Beers went to Paris where he worked in the stud...

Paul LUNAUD (Brantôme 1900 – 1949) The ironer Oil on wood H. 80 cm; W. 64 cm Signed and dated on the right in the center, formerly signed lower right. 1942 Provenance : Artist's stu...

Oil on canvas by Louis BERTHOMME SAINT-ANDRE, France, 1940s. Young Red-haired Woman. with frame: 74x63 cm - 29.1x24.8 inches ; without frame: 61x50 cm - 24x19.7 inches. Format 12F. ...

‘La Couronne de Marguerite’ by Édouard-Louis-Lucien Cabane (1857-1942). The painting – which depicts a young French beauty wearing a crown of daisies – is signed by the artist and ...

An expressive, unfinished oil study depicting a smartly dressed gentleman. The artist uses gestural brushstrokes and a muted palette to loosely capture the man's sharp features. Unsi...

The Artists Model Nude Lady Model French School, circa 1970's signed oil painting on card, unframed size: 17 x 24 inches condition: overall very good, a very few light markings to ...

'Parc des Buttes-Chaumont' in Paris, gouache on art paper, by Lucien Génin (circa 1930s). A charming depiction of well turned out Parisians enjoying a day at the park. Boaters, strollers and swans all co-mingle around the peaceful lake. The reflection of the rocky bluff in the water is superbly treated by Génin. It's a cheerful and uplifting image of days-gone-by in 1930s Paris. The park takes its name from the 'bare hill' (chauve-mont) that once occupied the site. It became a place where gypsum was mined, and where the limestone was quarried to be used in buildings in Paris and the United States. Worse, though, it was a site that also became a dumping ground. Luckily, during the 19th-century renovation of Paris under Napoleon III, chauve-mont was chosen as a place for a large park, as part of the emperor's fascination with endowing Paris with green spaces. The artificial lake created at that time wraps around a hilly central island. The lake attracts waterfowl and other birds and is stocked with fish. The 19th-century planners cleaned up the site and added tons of soil to fill the pits left by a limestone mining operation. Then dynamite was used to "sculpt" the site into the craggy shapes seen today, including the 50-metre-high central hill with cliffs, an interior grotto, pinnacles, and arches. Up on top, overlooking the rest of the park - and depicted in this artwork - is a small, round belvedere, based on the Roman Temple of Vesta in Italy. From that spot you can see a lovely view of Montmartre and the white cupolas of the Sacre-Coeur. The painting is in very good condition. It has been newly framed and glazed with museum-quality glass (anti-reflective and UV protection) to preserve this significant artwork for decades to come. Dimensions with frame: H 62 cm / 24.4" W 76 cm / 29.9" Dimensions without frame: H 48.5 cm / 19.1" W 63 cm / 24.8" About the Artist: After the devastation of the First World War, Lucien Génin (1894 - 1953) left his provincial home in the autumn of 1919 to find his fortune among the lively Parisians in the heart of Montmartre. Génin befriended the painters Frank Will, Gen Paul, Émile Boyer, Marcel Leprin...

Merton Grenhagen (American, 1878-1941) Signed: Merton Grenhagen (Lower, Left) " Portrait of Bethy at 4 ", 1927 (Study of Elizabeth Wallen) Oil on Canvas 35" x 29" Housed in a 5"...

Male Portrait, Signed Gennaro Befanio (Naples, 1866 - Paris, 1937), Dated 1936 Male portrait in oil on canvas, signed in the upper left corner "G. Befanio" and dated 1936. Likely on...

This sophisticated British portrait oil painting is by female artist Hedwig Pillitz and painted circa 1930. Her parents emigrated from Hungary to England and Hedwig and her actor sis...

Unsigned. Provenance: Studio Sale, George Weissbort, 2 June 2024. On board.

Oil on cardboard. Very good condition except for some minor losses on edges.

Antique American modernist portrait oil painting. Oil on canvas, lain to board. Framed. Very finely painted and a rare fauvist palette. No signature found.

Timothee (Tymo) Pierre, "Indian African Face Woman", Signed Abstract/ Figurative Portrait Painting, Acrylic Paint on Cardboard, 13.50 x 10.50, Late 20th ...

French Character Portrait French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache paint on unframed paper inscribed verso stamped to the reverse Image : 19.5 x 25.5 inches Superbly decorative 196...

The Legal Gentleman portrait of a lawyer/ barrister by Victor Hume Moody (British 1896-1990) *see notes below signed and dated 1974 oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 36 x 28 inches pro...

This stunning Scottish 1920's self portrait oil painting is by noted Scottish female artist Helen Mackenzie. Painted circa 1929 the composition is the head and shoulders of the artis...

Dancers in Motion by Annie Faure (French 1940-2021) signed lower corner oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas size: 13 x 18 inches condition: overall very good, minor surface scuff...

This painting portrays a refined 19th-century interior scene, where a group of elegantly dressed individuals gathers in an opulent drawing room. The richly decorated space, adorned w...

American cubist portrait painting of the American academic Michael Lerner, by the Modernist artist Michael Hurson (1941-2007). This whimsical portrait is painted in the cubist style ...

Portrait of a Young Lady French School, mid 20th century signed, S. Ascher signed oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 16 x 13 inches provenance: private collection, Paris condition: good...

Portrait of a clown in three quarter view, with expressive brushstrokes and use of color by Marjorie Blake (1920-1994). Unsigned, but was purchased with...

Portrait of an African American Woman by Tony Sisti (1901-1983). Sisti was a master draftsman. With just a few lines he captures the moment. Sisti was a professional boxer and an acc...

Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (Filipino, 1892-1978) Signed: F Amorsolo 1937 (Lower, Right) " Girl in Pink Dress ", 1937 Oil on canvas 26 1/8" x 19" H...

Mystery Artist Tennessee, 9/12/86 Oil on canvas 34 x 43 3/4 x 1 in. Titled and inscribed upper left

Ernest LAURENT Gentilly 1859 - Bièvres 1929 Seated woman seen from behind, preparatory sketch Oil on cardboard Circa 1920 32 x 21.5 cm unframed Our oil o...

"Evelyne" French School, mid century titled verso signed oil on board, unframed dated 51' board: 24.5 x 20 inches provenance: private collection, northern France condition: very good...

This is a unique original abstract oil painting on canvas by Meyer Kupferman(1926-2003) depicting a portrait of a young boy. Good condition. Unframed. Measures 30" x 40". Signed and dated 1974 in the lower right corner. Please see the photos. Meyer Kupferman(1926-2003): Was a versatile and eclectic composer who incorporated diverse elements in his works, from aleatoric music and jazz to Impressionism, from serial music and atonality to Romanticism. He wrote works in most genres, including opera, ballet, symphonies, concertos, film scores, chamber, vocal, and choral music. Kupferman was born in New York City on July 3, 1926. He exhibited talent as a child, first showing interest in the violin but then taking up the clarinet at age 10. He soon taught himself piano, as well, and then later studied music at New York's High School of Music and Art. Though he pursued music studies at Queens College, he learned composition on his own. Around the mid-'40s Kupferman served as an arranger for several jazz bands. His first opera, In a Garden (1948), drew considerable attention at its first performances at the Tanglewood Festival and later at the Edinburgh Festival. In 1951 he joined the faculty at Sarah Lawrence College, teaching composition and chamber music. He eventually became chairman of the music department...

Alexandre de Spengler (1893–1973) was a Swiss painter and engraver active in Geneva and Paris. He is known for his land and seascapes, as well as...

Friedrich August Seitz (1902 Staffort - 1944 Belgrade). Half-length portrait of an elderly man with a beard. Oil on canvas, 42 x 34 cm (visible seize), 58 x 50 cm (frame), signed and...

Oil on canvas painting by the Russian/American artist, Nahum Tschacbasov. Signed top right and dated 1970. Portrait of the artist. Condition: Good. Provenance: Estate of the ar...

Portrait of an Elegant Lady under Parasol, the beach in the distance English School, Impressionist signed oil on board, framed framed: 32 x 27 inches board: 24 x 20 inches provenance...

Finely painted antique American school oil painting. Oil on canvas. Framed. Measuring 29 by 38 inches overall and 23 by 32 painting alone.