Attrib. Arthur Bell RWA (1897-1995) - Watercolour Flock of Sheep

Description

A view of a flock of sheep grazing in lush countryside. Presented glazed in a gilt-effect wooden frame. The attribution was written on the (now lost) backing paper of the frame by a later hand and, though unsigned, the subject matter, style, and colour palette are typical of the artist. On wove.

Condition

There is some foxing and discolouration, primarily to the sky.

Size

20.5 x 27.4cm (8.1" x 10.8")
Framed Size: 26.9 x 34.5cm (10.6" x 13.6")

Artist Biography

Arthur Bell RWA (1897-1995) was a painter and etcher, born in Kettering. In 1913 he joined the architectural practice of Marriott, Cooper, and Williams and following active service in World War I Bell studied at Bournemouth School of Art, 1919-21 under Henry Crockett. His work has been exhibited on several occasions at the RA and the RWA, of which he was elected an Associate in 1935 and a full member ten years later. He taught at Canford School and Weymouth College. His wife, Bertha Ridley Beal was also an artist, who like her husband studied at the Bournemouth Municipal School of Art. Bell showed with the Cheltenham Group and his work is in the collection of Cheltenham Art Gallery where an exhibition of his work was staged in 1987. A posthumous retrospective exhibition of his work was held at the RWA, Bristol in 1994. His son was the artist John Bell. The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, and the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford also hold his work.