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Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

British, 1881-1959

Harold Hope Read was born in Greenwich in 1881 and later lived in Lewisham in London, Brighton and Tunbridge Wells, where he passed away in 1959. During his years in Tunbridge Wells, where he moved to in the 1930s, Hope Read lived an avant-garde lifestyle with his live-in housekeeper, life model and mistress, who we know only as Hilda. Here the artist became known as the Bohemian of Tunbridge Wells and his work is now acknowledged as the precursor of Edward Ardizzone (1900–79). It is from Hilda, that the present collection of works originates, after being passed down through Hilda's family after her death. Hope Read’s involvement with his patron, Charles Lambert Rutherston and fellow artists William Orpen (1878–1931) and Sir William Rothenstein (1872–1945) has been credited for inspiring the series of paintings and drawings he titled High Life. In this series, Hope Read depicts the wealthy and famous clientele of his colleagues in a lavishly detailed drawing style. Through this style, he conveyed the opulence of the members of high-society he encountered, including their luxurious costumes and grand interiors. Hope Read regularly submitted works to the Royal Academy's Annual Exhibition and exhibited works at the Alpine Gallery, the New English Art Club, the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours and the National Society of British Artists.

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Artist: Harold Hope Read
Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Signed & Framed 1923 Watercolour, Crowd in Street
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
An excellent narrative watercolour in the typical style of Harold Hope Read, with details in heavy black Indian ink. Depicting a tightly packed crown in the middle of a city street, ...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Watercolour, Fête Champêtre"
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A vibrant and characterful garden party, drawn in ink, watercolour and graphite. This is a fantastic example of the artist's ability to create narrativ...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Framed Watercolour, Busy 1920s Street Scene
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A stunning example of Harold Hope Read's oeuvre, drawn with ink and watercolour wash. Typical of the artist's subject matter, we are presented with a narrative composition of figures...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Framed Watercolour, Bathers on a Crowded Beach
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A fascinating glimpse of holiday life in the early 20th century, this beach scene features characters of various ages. The artist has used clothing to hi...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Couples Courting in a Park
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A romantic park study of a courting couple in the park, raising disapproving stairs from passers by. Painted in pen and ink with watercolour. Unsigned. On wove.
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Signed Pen and Ink Drawing, Society Ball
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A highly detailed and characterful study of high society figures in a grand interior. Laid to backing paper with a hand drawn border. Signed. On wove.
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pen

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Early 20th Century Watercolour, Romantics
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A lively pen and ink drawing with watercolour wash. The study shows a pair of finely dressed men whose attention has been caught by a woman dominating the composition. The artist has...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Watercolour, The Ballet Dancers
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
An amusing pen and ink study with watercolour wash showing a pair of ballet dancers who seem to be sharing a flirtatious exchange with two leering gentlemen. Hope Read's work successfully distils a storyline into a single image in his typically graphic style and flair for comic narrative. With an additional watercolour and ink study of a Victorian couple...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Framed Pen and Ink Drawing, Society Nightlife
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
Sulis Fine Art is proud to present a large collection of works on paper by the highly acclaimed early 20th century British artist H...
Category

Early 20th Century Impressionist Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor, Pen, Ink

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19th century watercolour of a Girl at her Dressing Table
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Early 2000s Realist Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Untitled (Sunset Tower Hotel)
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Previously Available Items
Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Framed Watercolour, Daily Street Scene
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
An excellent narrative watercolour in the typical style of Harold Hope Read, depicting a crowded city street scene (possibly Brighton, where the artist lived for a time). In his dist...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Framed Watercolour, Ladies on a Park Stroll
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A superb watercolour by Harold Hope Read depicting fashionably dressed 1920s ladies enjoying a summer's day in an English park. The painting is laid to backing paper with a hand draw...
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20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Framed Watercolour, Figures on a Park Bench
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A characterful study of figures in an autumnal park, well presented in a card double mount and modern pale wood frame. Unsigned. On wove.
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20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Framed Watercolour, Figures in an English Park
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A joyful study in ink and watercolour washes by Harold Hope Read, depicting figures walking through a park. Well presented in a cream card mount and modern brown frame. Unsigned. On ...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Signed & Framed 1925 Watercolour, Beach Dozing
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A beautifully observed study of relaxing on an English beach by Harold Hope Read, painted in the artist's typical narrative style. This is a wonderful example of Hope Read's beach sc...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Framed Pen and Ink Drawing, Holiday Makers
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A beautifully observed study of holiday makers on an English beach by Harold Hope Read, painted in the artist's typical narrative style. This is a wonderful example of Hope Read's be...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pen

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Framed Watercolour, Figures in a Park
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
An excellent narrative watercolour in the typical style of Harold Hope Read. Depicting 1920s characters relaxing in an English park. Well presented in a cream card mount and contempo...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Framed Watercolour, A Busy Shopping Street
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A fantastic view of shoppers on a street, likely Tunbridge Wells or Brighton, both places where Harold Hope Read lived for a time - he enjoyed drawing ...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Signed 1925 Watercolour, Strolling Through a Park
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
An excellent narrative watercolour in the typical style of Harold Hope Read, depicting crowds enjoying a summer's day in an English park. In his distinctive style, Hope Read has crea...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Watercolour, Elderly Couple in a Park
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A whimsical pen and ink study with watercolour wash depicting an elderly couple resting on a park bench. Amusingly this particular couple appear to be c...
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Pen and Ink Drawing, High Society Pastimes
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A narrative study of high society figures enjoying outdoor pastimes in a parkland. Unsigned. On wove.
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pen

Harold Hope Read (1881-1959) - Watercolour & Ink, Figures in a Park
By Harold Hope Read
Located in Corsham, GB
A stunning park scene, depicting figures enjoying a warm evening in London. Laid to backing paper with hand drawn border. Unsigned. On wove.
Category

20th Century Harold Hope Read Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Watercolor

Harold Hope Read figurative drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Harold Hope Read figurative drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Harold Hope Read in paint, watercolor, pen and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Impressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Harold Hope Read figurative drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 10 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Eliza Southwood, Bruno Angoletta, and Beth Carter. Harold Hope Read figurative drawings and watercolors prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $295 and tops out at $800, while the average work can sell for $401.

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