What characterises twentieth-century British military portraiture?

Twentieth-century British military portraiture combines precise observation of uniform details and rank insignia with expressive draughtsmanship. Artists frequently used oil, watercolor, or pastel to capture both official military subjects and personal wartime studies.

Which materials are traditionally used in pastel portrait drawings?

Pastel portraits are created using sticks of pure powdered pigment mixed with a minimal binder, applied directly to textured paper, card, or canvas. Due to the delicate nature of unbound pigment, these works are rendered on heavy paper and mounted under glass for protection.

How can original pastel paintings be identified?

Original pastel works exhibit distinct surface textures, visible layering of powdered pigment, and hand-rendered line work that differs from printed reproductions. Signatures, paper watermarks, and period-appropriate framing techniques also assist in establishing authenticity.

How should a framed portrait painting be styled in a modern interior?

A portrait painting can be positioned as a focal point above a sideboard, mantelpiece, or desk, or integrated into an eclectic gallery wall. Pairing historic portraiture with contemporary furniture creates a balanced contrast in classical and modern settings.

How do you care for and preserve a framed pastel artwork?

Pastel artworks must remain framed behind glass with an acid-free mount to prevent the pigment from contacting the surface. Keep the picture away from direct sunlight, extreme temperature fluctuations, and damp conditions to prevent fading and foxing.

for sale €432 $469

£369

Artsonline

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2018

View Dealers Stock Page

About Us

Specialising in fine art & quality pottery - worldwide delivery - secure payments

Relevant Links

Mid Century Portrait

Vintage Military Sketch

Framed Portrait Drawing

British Military Artwork

Original Pastel Painting

Twentieth Century Portraiture

Id #SA1045861

PDF

SAVE

Aubrey Sykes Ra (1910-1995) Superb Military Officer Pastel Portrait Painting

Name: Aubrey Sykes Ra (1910-1995) Superb Military Officer Pastel Portrait Painting
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1045861
Price: 369 GBP
Availability: InStock

1940 - 1960

For Sale by Artsonline

Description

Aubrey Sykes RA (1910-1995) SUPERB MILITARY OFFICER PASTEL PORTRAIT PAINTING

Brief Description:

This is a wonderful Original Signed Pastel Portrait Painting depicting a handsome Military officer.

Painted during the 1950s-1960s by Royal Academy listed British artist Aubrey Sykes (1910-1995).

The quality image portrays the Military gent wearing his full military regalia, with smartly-kept hair and a wyre grin on his face.

Artist Biography:

Aubrey Sykes (1910-1995) was a Watford-born artist who first showed at the Royal Academy while still a seventeen-year-old student. He was a member of the Pastel Society from 1938 and was also elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1940. In 1974 Sykes was elected Governor of the Federation of British Artists and also showed at the Royal Society of British Artists and Royal Institute of Oil Painters. Sykes was a member of the Wapping Group of Artists from 1963 and the Croydon Art Society and the City of London Corporation hold examples of his work.

Attributes:

Pastel Painting

Signed: 'Sykes

Circa: 1950-1960

Condition:

Mounted within a good quality later glazed and gilt frame, and offered in an overall good condition commensurate with age.

note: There are some minor areas of paper staining to the lower edge - see images.

Framed Measurements:

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 28.6'' | 72.6 cm

Width: 23.1'' | 58.6 cm

Depth: 1.1'' | 2.7 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

*A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.

Returns Policy

Artsonline provides a genuine no-quibble 14-day money-back refund policy

(excluding the cost of Postage and Packaging).

Pay Securely - Telephone orders are welcome

Image result for payments accepted logos

Secure-Payment-VPADeb-sa-la-go-th-et-an-gt-005486-BACS-Order-PayPal-M/Card

Physical Dimensions

Height

72.6cm (28.58")

Width

58.6cm (23.07")

Depth

2.7cm (1.06")

Declaration

Artsonline has dated this Military Officer Pastel Portrait to the 1960s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1045861

Dealers Notes

CONTACT US:

Please feel free to call us.

We have a friendly & professional team on hand who are here to help you with any queries you may have.

Tel: 01749 595 507

Mobile: 07784 085 135

Outside the UK:

Tel: 0044 1749 595 507

Cell: 0044 7784 085 135

PAYMENT:

We accept all major credit/debit cards, PayPal, Square and Bank transfer (BACS).

Description

Aubrey Sykes RA (1910-1995) SUPERB MILITARY OFFICER PASTEL PORTRAIT PAINTING

Brief Description:

This is a wonderful Original Signed Pastel Portrait Painting depicting a handsome Military officer.

Painted during the 1950s-1960s by Royal Academy listed British artist Aubrey Sykes (1910-1995).

“

The quality image portrays the Military gent wearing his full military regalia, with smartly-kept hair and a wyre grin on his face.

Artsonline

fig 1. A framed twentieth-century pastel portrait drawing depicting a military officer in uniform within a carved gilt wood frame. — fig 1. Aubrey Sykes Ra (1910-1995) Superb Military Officer Pastel Portrait Painting

Artist Biography:

Aubrey Sykes (1910-1995) was a Watford-born artist who first showed at the Royal Academy while still a seventeen-year-old student. He was a member of the Pastel Society from 1938 and was also elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1940. In 1974 Sykes was elected Governor of the Federation of British Artists and also showed at the Royal Society of British Artists and Royal Institute of Oil Painters. Sykes was a member of the Wapping Group of Artists from 1963 and the Croydon Art Society and the City of London Corporation hold examples of his work.

fig 2. A framed twentieth-century pastel portrait drawing depicting a military officer in uniform within a carved gilt wood frame. — fig 2. Aubrey Sykes Ra (1910-1995) Superb Military Officer Pastel Portrait Painting

Attributes:

Pastel Painting

Signed: 'Sykes

Circa: 1950-1960

Condition:

Mounted within a good quality later glazed and gilt frame, and offered in an overall good condition commensurate with age.

note: There are some minor areas of paper staining to the lower edge - see images.

fig 3. A framed twentieth-century pastel portrait drawing depicting a military officer in uniform within a carved gilt wood frame. — fig 3. Aubrey Sykes Ra (1910-1995) Superb Military Officer Pastel Portrait Painting

Framed Measurements:

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 28.6'' | 72.6 cm

Width: 23.1'' | 58.6 cm

Depth: 1.1'' | 2.7 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

fig 4. A framed twentieth-century pastel portrait drawing depicting a military officer in uniform within a carved gilt wood frame. — fig 4. Aubrey Sykes Ra (1910-1995) Superb Military Officer Pastel Portrait Painting

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

fig 5. A framed twentieth-century pastel portrait drawing depicting a military officer in uniform within a carved gilt wood frame. — fig 5. Aubrey Sykes Ra (1910-1995) Superb Military Officer Pastel Portrait Painting

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.