Gwen Whicker (1900-1966) - Framed Mid 20th Century Oil Late Summer Flowers

Description

A stunning floral study by the acclaimed British artist Gwen Whicker (1900-1966). The oil depicts a magnificent display of late summer flowers, arranged in a decorative brass vase. Each flower has been meticulously painted by Whicker in a considered palette of yellow and orange hues. Well presented in a handsome white frame. Signed to the lower left and labelled to the reverse. On board.

Condition

Light dirtying and scuffs to the frame. The overall condition of the artwork is very good.

Size

59.5 x 54.5cm (23.4" x 21.5")
Framed Size: 71.5 x 66.5cm (28.1" x 26.2")

Artist Biography

Gwen Whicker (née Cross) was born in Bristol and studied art, against her parents’ wishes at the Bristol Municipal School of Art. She worked her way through studies by making medical drawings for Bristol University. A very skilful draughtswoman, she was always drawn to nature, portraiture, animals and birds, and these she depicted through the medium of printmaking and etching as well as oil painting.

After achieving her Diploma in Fine Art and a teaching qualification she taught at the Bristol Art School, where she met her future husband Fred Whicker. They were married in 1931 and lived in Clifton from that time when Fred was working as a printer until after WWII. During this period they both achieved their greatest acclaim, given impetus by the formation of the New Bristol Arts Club (1933), of which Gwen served as President. Their first exhibition was held at the Royal West of England Academy, where Gwen had shown work previously. The 1930s were in fact to be their ‘golden period’ when academic painting of their sort was still appreciated. The war broke that success.

The couple moved to Falmouth, Cornwall shortly after the war and lived on Woodlane. They exhibited at the RCPS and associated themselves with the St Ives Society of Artists. But the modernists were beginning to hold sway, and their work was overlooked. They continued to paint still life and domestic scenes, and Gwen to make silver jewellery for sale in shops. Gwen served as a Governor of the Falmouth Art School, and they both quietly continued to work at their paintings, exhibiting and selling when possible, and mainly with STISA.