Hilda Trefusis (1891-1980) - 1925 Pastel Major-General Sir Reginald Barnes

Description

A pastel portrait of Major-General Sir Reginald Walter Ralph Barnes KCB DSO DL JP (1871-1946), a cavalry officer in the British Army. He served in several regiments and commanded a battalion of the Imperial Yeomanry, the 10th (Prince of Wales's Own) Royal Hussars, the 111th Brigade, and three divisions. During his career he served in the Cuban War of Independence, the Second Boer War, and the First World War. He became a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order and a Knight Commander of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath. He was also awarded a French Croix de Guerre. He finally retired from the army in March 1921. Presented glazed in a distressed gilt-effect frame with ripple moulding. Inscribed with the name of the sitter to the lower-left corner and signed and dated to the lower-right corner.
On textured wove.

Condition

There are some losses to the moulding at the corners of the frame. Otherwise in fine condition.

Size

48.3 x 31.3cm (19" x 12.3")
Framed Size: 56.2 x 37.4cm (22.1" x 14.7")

Artist Biography

Hilda Trefusis (1891-1980) was a painter and illustrator. She was born in Chittlehampton, Devon. She was offered free tuition by the Newlyn painter Norman Garstin and was recommended by John Singer Sargent for a place at the RA Schools. Both of these offers were rejected by her parents who eventually allowed her to attend the then newly formed Byam Shaw and Vicat Cole School of Art at Campden Hill, London. Some of her early illustrative work was for infant reading books for the publisher Edward Arnold. During the 1920s she began a long life of travelling and visited Siam, Greece, Palestine, and Tibet. Her work was purchased by the King of Siam and Dame Nellie Melba and during World War II she was actively involved in drawing and painting the allied advances in France and Belgium. Much of this work is in the Imperial War Museum and the Burton Art Gallery, Bideford, Devon.