Tony Giles 1925 - 1994. English. Vows Are Spoken Only to Be Broken. Framed 1960s Cornish Nude Oil Painting.

Tony Giles.

English ( b.1925 - d.1994 ).

Vows Are Spoken Only To Be Broken.

Oil On Board.

Signed Lower Right.

Image size 39.6 inches x 29.5 inches ( 100.5cm x 75cm ).

Frame size 42.3 inches x 32.5 inches ( 107.5cm x 82.5cm ).

Available for sale from Big Sky Fine Art in the English county of Dorset, this original oil painting is by the Cornish artist Tony Giles and dates from around 1965.

The painting is presented and supplied in its original wood frame (which is shown in these photographs).

The painted surface has benefitted from cleaning, restoration and conservation, which was performed on our instruction, supervision and approval.

This vintage painting is in very good condition, commensurate with its age. It wants for nothing and is supplied ready to hang and display.

The painting is signed lower right.

Provenance: From the personal collection of Ann (1946 - 2000) and Jonathan Grimble (1942 - 2021). Gallerist and art dealer working in St Ives and Marazion, Cornwall.

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A powerful and prolific Cornish artist, Tony Giles was born in Taunton, Somerset. His father was an engine driver for the Great Western Railway and Tony’s first trips to Cornwall were on the London train which his father drove from Taunton to Penzance.

After an apprenticeship with the Admiralty as a draughtsman and national service with the Royal Marines, Tony worked in local government.

Giles moved to Cornwall in 1961 and taught himself to paint , quickly gaining a reputation as an enthusiastic and talented artist. His favourite themes included railways and landscapes; his figure paintings are relatively rare. He was a member of the Penwith Society of Arts, and exhibited regularly, including at the Royal Academy.

© Big Sky Fine Art

This original painting by Tony Giles depicts a naked female figure with distinctive long blonde hair. The ends of her hair are tipped up in a style that became prevalent in the 1960s. The figure is almost faceless and is looking to the side, past the viewer. This is about an almost abstract form and style, rather than the identity of an individual. Overall, this is a strong impactful piece.

The provenance of this painting includes it being part of an incredibly impressive collection that was put together by Jonathan and Ann Grimble. Jonathan was well known in Cornwall as an art dealer and collector. Grimble ran the Market House Gallery in Marazion for some years and brought many modern and contemporary artists to further prominence. He later ran the Porthminster Gallery and Westcotts Gallery in St. Ives and was an agent for the executors of Sandra Blow’s estate.

Grimble’s own art collection featured artists such as Sandra Blow, Terry Frost, Alexander Mackenzie, Paul Feiler, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Fred Yates, Jack Pender, Trev Bell, Paul Mount, John Milne, Denis Mitchell, Peter Lanyon.

For a full biography of this artist please see his listing on www.bigskyfineart.com .

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Contact us by phone on +44 (0) 1305 581426 or email art@bigskyfineart.com .