A very fine and dynamic watercolour with graphite details, by the listed British artist Ronald Olley (b.1926), depicting the East and South façade of the Second Temple of Hera at Paestum, Southern Italy, with two figures in the landscape. Paestum was a major ancient Greek city on the coastline of Tyrrhenian Sea in Magna Graecia, and three of the most well-preserved ancient Greek temples are located there, including the Second Temple of Hera, dating to c.450 BCE.
Olley has created contrasting textures using a variety of techniques, enhancing the inherent contrast between the classical architectural geometry and the natural elements in the composition. The figures add scale to the scene, and heighten the grandeur and focus on the fluted doric columns.
Well-presented in a light wooden frame and a cream mount, as shown.
Signed and dated and inscribed. On wove.In fine condition overall. The mount has some minor marks and trapped dirt behind the glazing. There are very minor scuffs and marks to the frame.
23.9 x 35.5cm (9.4" x 14")Framed Size: 46.4 x 56.3cm (18.3" x 22.2")
Sulis Fine Art is proud to present this fine collection of works from the studio of the British artist Ronald Olley. Some of the works bear the stamp 'ORO', which stands for Owen Ronald Olley, the artist's birthname.
For our full collection of Ronald Olley (b.1923) artworks click here
Ronald Olley was born in 1923, and studied at both the Harrow Art School and the Central School, London. His father served as a soldier throughout the First World War, and Olley joined the army in 1942. He witnessed the bombing of Bath, England, before being stationed at El Alamein in Egypt, and Italy.
As well as landscape and figure painting, Olley has had numerous commissions for portraits, mainly of women and children. As one of the last artists to paint World War II from personal experience, a significant part of his portfolio depicts battlegrounds and war-torn landscapes. These have been painted using significant research and photographs, alongside Olley's own knowledge of the front line.
His work has been shown at the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of British Artists, as well as in exhibitions at the Medici Gallery and at Duncan Campbell. His pictures have been bought by collectors in Europe, the USA, Australia, Africa and Japan.
| SKU | kk706 |
|---|---|
| Artist | Ronald Olley (b.1923) |
| Date | 1986 |
| Dimensions | 23.9 x 35.5cm |
| Medium | Watercolour |
| Style | Postimpressionism |
| Subject | Architecture & Cityscapes |
| Item Returns | This item can be returned |
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