Scottish School Oil on Board Portrait of a Reclining Female Nude by Fyffe Christie (1918 - 1979)

Name: Scottish School Oil on Board Portrait of a Reclining Female Nude by Fyffe Christie (1918 - 1979)
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1152003
Availability: SoldOut

1940 - 1960

Sold by The English Interior

Description

A large scale and sensitively rendered modern British oil on board study of a reclining nude by the celebrated British artist Fyffe William George Christie.

The elegant female subject is nestled naked amidst drapery with her sinuous limbs outstretched. She wears her dark hair fashionably bobbed, and a fringe frames her gaze which is averted away from the viewer, upwards and to the left.

This fine painting displays the artists signature use of brushwork as well as his skill as a colourist. It is in an excellent state of conservation and is ready to hang and enjoy in its original black wooden frame with white slip.

Fyffe William George Christie (1918 - 1979)

The celebrated British figurative artist and mural painter Fyffe Christie began painting during World War II and attended the Glasgow School of Art from 1946 to 1951.

Christie loved the art of the early Italian Renaissance, especially Giotto and Piero Della Francesca and after two years of general studies he began to specialise studying stained glass and mural painting under Walter Pritchard (Christie exhibited a mural stained glass window at the Edinburgh Festival titled The Last Supper in 1951).

After his graduation he began painting murals, including Christ Feeding the People (1950-1951) and various others in Glasgow, including one in the Glasgow University Union. Christie then moved to London, where he taught at various schools and continued painting.

Christie won the Newbery Medal in 1950 for the most distinguished student of his year.

In 1951 father George Christie died and Fyffe undertook a postgraduate's study year and a six-month travelling scholarship to France, Germany and Italy. He had also begun teaching evening classes at the School of Art and there he met his wife, student Eleanor Munro, the couple marrying on Fyffe's return to Scotland in 1952.

As well as religious subjects Christie had a lifelong love of music and this was also recurring theme in his work. He dies in 1979.

Higher Resolution images on request.

Worldwide shipping available.

Board: 20” x 25” / 51 cm x 64cm.

Framed: 25” x 29” / 64 cm x 74 cm

Physical Dimensions

Height

74cm (29.13")

Width

64cm (25.20")

Depth

4cm (1.57")

Declaration

The English Interior has dated this piece to the 1950s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1152003

Description

A large scale and sensitively rendered modern British oil on board study of a reclining nude by the celebrated British artist Fyffe William George Christie.

The elegant female subject is nestled naked amidst drapery with her sinuous limbs outstretched.

“

She wears her dark hair fashionably bobbed, and a fringe frames her gaze which is averted away from the viewer, upwards and to the left.

The English Interior

fig 1. SCOTTISH SCHOOL OIL ON BOARD PORTRAIT OF A RECLINING FEMALE NUDE BY FYFFE CHRISTIE (1918 - 1979) — fig 1. Scottish School Oil on Board Portrait of a Reclining Female Nude by Fyffe Christie (1918 - 1979)

This fine painting displays the artists signature use of brushwork as well as his skill as a colourist. It is in an excellent state of conservation and is ready to hang and enjoy in its original black wooden frame with white slip.

fig 2. SCOTTISH SCHOOL OIL ON BOARD PORTRAIT OF A RECLINING FEMALE NUDE BY FYFFE CHRISTIE (1918 - 1979) — fig 2. Scottish School Oil on Board Portrait of a Reclining Female Nude by Fyffe Christie (1918 - 1979)

Fyffe William George Christie (1918 - 1979)

The celebrated British figurative artist and mural painter Fyffe Christie began painting during World War II and attended the Glasgow School of Art from 1946 to 1951.

fig 3. SCOTTISH SCHOOL OIL ON BOARD PORTRAIT OF A RECLINING FEMALE NUDE BY FYFFE CHRISTIE (1918 - 1979) — fig 3. Scottish School Oil on Board Portrait of a Reclining Female Nude by Fyffe Christie (1918 - 1979)

Christie loved the art of the early Italian Renaissance, especially Giotto and Piero Della Francesca and after two years of general studies he began to specialise studying stained glass and mural painting under Walter Pritchard (Christie exhibited a mural stained glass window at the Edinburgh Festival titled The Last Supper in 1951).

fig 4. SCOTTISH SCHOOL OIL ON BOARD PORTRAIT OF A RECLINING FEMALE NUDE BY FYFFE CHRISTIE (1918 - 1979) — fig 4. Scottish School Oil on Board Portrait of a Reclining Female Nude by Fyffe Christie (1918 - 1979)

After his graduation he began painting murals, including Christ Feeding the People (1950-1951) and various others in Glasgow, including one in the Glasgow University Union. Christie then moved to London, where he taught at various schools and continued painting.

fig 5. SCOTTISH SCHOOL OIL ON BOARD PORTRAIT OF A RECLINING FEMALE NUDE BY FYFFE CHRISTIE (1918 - 1979) — fig 5. Scottish School Oil on Board Portrait of a Reclining Female Nude by Fyffe Christie (1918 - 1979)

Christie won the Newbery Medal in 1950 for the most distinguished student of his year.

In 1951 father George Christie died and Fyffe undertook a postgraduate's study year and a six-month travelling scholarship to France, Germany and Italy. He had also begun teaching evening classes at the School of Art and there he met his wife, student Eleanor Munro, the couple marrying on Fyffe's return to Scotland in 1952.