George Wright Hall, Portrait of a Man, Characterful Portrait of a Gentleman, Oil Painting

1900 - 1920

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

A characterful portrait of a seated gentleman by Scottish painter, George Wright Hall (1895-1974). He looks towards us through thin-rimmed spectacles, his heavy moustache drooping under a prominent Roman nose.

Note how the body is a mere suggestion of form. It’s possibly a portrait study yet it bears a full signature.

Little is known about Wright Hall but he was probably influenced by the Scottish Colourists who were well-known when he was honing his skills. Aside from his portraiture, which generally featured simple muted tones, he also painted colourful still lifes and landscapes such as this: https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-2077100

The style of this portrait reminds us a little of the early work of Samuel John Peploe (1871-1935).

The portrait is signed/dated in the lower right and housed within a period frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 24½” x 28½” / 62cm x 72cm

Year of creation: 1923

Provenance: England

Condition: Canvas in good condition following a light restoration. Frame a little fragile with some age-related wear including cracking.

Physical Dimensions

Height

72cm (28.35")

Width

62cm (24.41")

Depth

3cm (1.18")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA812866

Description

A characterful portrait of a seated gentleman by Scottish painter, George Wright Hall (1895-1974).

“

He looks towards us through thin-rimmed spectacles, his heavy moustache drooping under a prominent Roman nose.

Brave Fine Art

fig 1. George Wright Hall, Portrait Of A Man, Characterful Portrait Of A Gentleman, Oil Painting — fig 1. George Wright Hall, Portrait of a Man, Characterful Portrait of a Gentleman, Oil Painting

Note how the body is a mere suggestion of form. It’s possibly a portrait study yet it bears a full signature.

Little is known about Wright Hall but he was probably influenced by the Scottish Colourists who were well-known when he was honing his skills. Aside from his portraiture, which generally featured simple muted tones, he also painted colourful still lifes and landscapes such as this: https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-2077100