Eve Disher (1894-1991) Early 20th Century Gouache - A Pensive Portrait With Pipe

Description

An accomplished portrait in an unusual style of dry brush worked gouache over graphite underdrawing finished with watercolour wash. The painting shows a portrait of a young man smoking a pipe. The artist shows a deft hand with such a bold technique and manages to convey great depth of character with a very economic line.

The painting is presented in a black, glazed frame with a white card mount and a black inner window.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration. The frame is in fine condition.

Size

39 x 29cm (15.4" x 11.4")
Framed Size: 56.8 x 46.8cm (22.4" x 18.4")

Artist Biography

Disher was born in London and studied at the Hornsey School of Art. During World War One, Disher worked for the London Fire Brigade. In her early twenties she married the theatre critic and author Maurice Willson Disher and thru him became friendly with members of the Bloomsbury Group, in particular Duncan Grant. During this time Disher shared a studio with the artist Vera Cuningham , who was a great influence on her artistic style. Disher travelled widely and spent periods living in both South Africa and Jamaica. In Britain she exhibited with the Society of Women Artists, the Women's International Art Club and at the Mattheisen Gallery. Foyles Art Gallery hosted a solo exhibition of her work in 1987. Known for her portraits, often in gouache, the National Portrait Gallery in London holds Disher's 1936 portrait of J. B. S. Haldane.