Lionel Grimston Fawkes (1849-1931) - Graphite Drawing Portrait of Charles Hild

Description

A delicate portrait of Charles Hild, 7 Army Corps, in Graphite with watercolour, by the painter and illustrator Lionel Grimston Fawkes (1849-1931). With minute facial details and expressive lines, the artist's proficiency in portraiture is evident. His use of light colours for narrow areas of detail produce a defined and distinctive character. Well-presented in a washline mount with gilt detail, and a gilt wooden frame. Unsigned and inscribed. On wove.

Condition

In fine condition for a picture of this age, with only some slight discolouration. The frame has some scuffing and marks.

Size

11.1 x 9.3cm (4.4" x 3.7")
Framed Size: 28.1 x 25.3cm (11.1" x 10")

Artist Biography

Lionel Grimston Fawkes (1849-1931) was a little-known painter, illustrator and cartoonist born in Hertfordshire who contributed to Punch in 1875. A career army officer, he attained the rank of Colonel and served as Aide de Camp to General Gamble, C-in-C West Indies, from 1878-1884. Heavily connected in the arts, his grandfather Walter Fawkes was the great patron of J.M.W. Turner.

He retired from the Royal Artillery in 1901 and in 1924 he sailed for New York and then on to Canada where he remained for the rest of his life. Books he illustrated include Anthony Trollope's The Way We Live Now. Examples of his work are held in the collections of National Army Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, London.