A portrait of large proportions, titled ''The Hon. Stutt Esq.'', signed by the artist, Frank Thomas Copnall (1870-1949), to lower left and verso, and dated ''1937''. Frank Thomas Copnall was a turn-of-the-century and early twentieth century portraitist, who exhibited over 50 pictures – mainly portraits - at the Royal Academy and 20 at the Royal Society of Arts, during a long and distinguished career. Born on the Isle of Wight, he settled in Hoylake in Cheshire and established a very successful studio in Liverpool, which was widely patronised by the wealthy merchant class of the city. Copnall became something of an artistic institution in Liverpool and rose to become President of both the Liver Sketching Club and the Liverpool Art Club. The family home was a hive of artistic activity: his wife, Theresa, was an exhibited artist in her own right and Frank’s nephew Edward, who came to work in the family business, became the well-known sculptor, Edward Bainbridge Copnall. Copnall’s port...