John Richard Lowndes French (1881–1958) - 1919 Watercolour, The King's Birthday

Description

A dynamic depiction of the 1919 Birthday Honours (The 1919 Birthday Honours were appointments by King George V to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the British Empire. The appointments were made to celebrate the official birthday of The King. The vast majority of the awards were related to the recently ended War, and were divided by military campaigns). Soldiers in finery parading on horseback. The artist has initialed and dated in the lower left corner. The painting has been presented in a early 20thC gilt frame with delicate botanical corner ornaments, a card mount and the original glazing. On wove.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration. The frame has a loss to the wood at the upper left edge and several small losses to the molding at the inner window on the lower edge. The gilt has some scuffing and tarnishing.

Size

20 x 45cm (7.9" x 17.7")

Artist Biography

John Richard Lowndes French, 2nd Earl of Ypres (6 July 1881 – 5 April 1958) was the son of the British field marshal and the first commander of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in World War I Sir John French.

He was born near Morpeth in Northumberland where his father was stationed. He followed his father by joining the army and he served with the Royal Field Artillery, but his military career was cut short following a riding accident. French was also a talented artist, something which did not endear him to his father.

He succeeded his father as 2nd Earl of Ypres following his death on 22 May 1925. During the Second World War he commanded a battalion of the Home Guard. He was succeeded by his son John.