Laurence H.F. Irving (1897-1988) - Mid 20th Century Watercolour, Venetian Canal

Description

Architectural watercolour of a wide Venetian canal complete with the artist's perspective plot lines and underdrawings still visible. A second preparatory sketch in graphite is on the the reverse. Unsigned.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration. Collection of central pinholes at the top and bottom. Some general dirtying and marks.

Size

25.8 x 34.3cm (10.2" x 13.5")
Sheet: 29.6 x 38cm (11.7" x 15")

Collection Information

From a collection of works acquired at the studio sale of Laurence Irving. While some are signed, all are from the artist's studio.

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Artist Biography

Laurence Henry Forster Irving OBE RDI (1897-1988) was a painter, illustrator, theatre designer and author, born in London. A grandson of Sir Henry Irving, the great actor-manager, he was educated at Wellington College and was a pilot in World War I in the Fleet Air Arm. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1916. Post-war, he studied art at the Byam Shaw School of Art and at the Royal Academy Schools, London. Following an intermission in Hollywood, where he was art director to the silent film star Douglas Fairbanks Sr., for 'The Man in the Iron Mask' and 'The Taming of the Shrew'. In 1931, he was responsible for the scenic side of four major productions among them the first revival of Maugham's 'The Circle' and the dramatised version of the 'Good Companions'.

Irving designed the first production of T. S. Eliot's 'Murder in the Cathedral' and worked on three plays by J.B. Priestley. At the outset of Wold War II, he rejoined the RAF in which he served until 1945. Post-war he worked on plays at the Old Vic Company led by Sir Michael Redgrave, and others involving Donald Wolfit. Irving illustrated Conrad's 'The Mirror of the Sea' and Antoine de Saint-Exupery's 'Flight to Arras. By 1947, he was producing the film version of the Victorian classic 'Uncle Silas'.

His exhibiting career included shows at the FAS, Agnew's, GI and RSMA and he was also appointed RDI. Towards the end of his life, his work was shown on occasion at the Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold. Examples of his work are held in the collection of the V&A.