Sylvia Molloy (1914-2008) - Framed 20th Century Oil Drinking Fountain (Spain)

Description

Fine oil painting by listed artist Sylvia Molloy, depicting a male figure drinking from a street water fountain. With a predominantly blue colour palette, the artist was able to create a beautiful expression of what at first glance would seem like a modest street scene. Well presented in a light blue and grey speckled effect wooden frame with orange details. Signed. On canvas on stretchers.

Condition

Painting in fine condition. Some light scuffing and surface dents to the frame. Inspection under UV light shows no signs of restoration.

Size

75 x 49.5cm (29.5" x 19.5")
Framed Size: 83 x 57.5cm (32.7" x 22.6")

Artist Biography

Sylvia Molloy was born in South Shields, England. Molloy graduated from the Armstrong College at Durham University, and later, the Johannesburg College of Art in 1952, where she obtained her Master's' Degree. Molloy also studied at the Montparnasse, Paris, for a short period in 1939, and when World War II broke out she travelled to Burma in 1940. Subsequently, the artist travelled to India when the Japanese army invaded the country. She returned to England for a brief period after the war, before setting off for South Africa in December 1947, where she continued to paint and to teach art in her own established art school.

As her status grew, Molloy exhibited works in South Africa, the UK, Paris and in the State Art Galleries of Australia. A major work, 'Night Shift', was hung in the Royal Academy of Arts in 1981 and was illustrated in the Tatler.

After returning to England in 1963, the artist held many solo shows in Herefordshire and London, and exhibited regularly at the Mall Galleries, in group shows with the Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Society of Women Artists and the Society of Wildlife Artists. Sylvia was elected a Fellow at the Free Painters & Sculptors, a member of the National Society of Painters, Sculptors & Printmakers and the Ridley Art Society and showed in a solo exhibition at Phoenix Gallery, Lavenham in 1988. Letchworth Museum & Art Gallery hold examples of her work.