Peter Collins ARCA - 20th Century Oil A Blank Stare

Description

A fine example of this artist's portraiture, this portrait shows a striking looking woman with wide dark eyes and cropped hair wearing a vibrant teal turtleneck. The blue of her jumper brings out the delicate peachy flush in her cheeks. There is a second painting on the reverse of the board, showing a snowy city scene. The artist has signed to the reverse. The painting has been presented in a simple oak frame with gilt slip. On board.

Condition

Some minor dirtying to the surface. There is some splitting to the upper left corner of the frame.

Size

37 x 27.3cm (14.6" x 10.7")
Framed Size: 48.5 x 39cm (19.1" x 15.4")

Collection Information

Provenance: The Late Peter & Georgette Collins Collection - 'The Contents of Stanley Studios, Chelsea', Studio Sale, 9 May 2017.

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Artist Biography

Peter Collins was born in 1923 and his first job was in the commercial studio of an advertising agency, during which time he attended art school in the evening. His career was interrupted by World War II and in 1943, he entered the army, serving in the Royal Artillery where he was attached to the Education Corps teaching Painting and Drawing and also holding an appointment as part-time teacher at St. Martin’s School of Art.

After the war, Peter won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art 1947-1950. He went on to work as a commercial artist, producing iconic travel posters for British Railways and British European Airways. He also worked as a designer for ICI and Shell, and held the position of Art Director at Odhams Press. In the 1960’s Peter and his wife Georgette converted a group of buildings in Balcombe, Sussex which became ‘Balcombe Galleries’. In 1975 they acquired Stanley Studios in Chelsea, which was scheduled for demolishment and redevelopment. Purpose built artist studios were converted into single residence and over the next two decades they filled the spaces with paintings, antiques, curios and sculpture. Stanley Studios boasted a considerable cultural pedigree, having been a work space for artists such as Jack Smith, Rodrigo Moynihan and Elizabeth Frink.