Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this Mid Century Oil Portrait to the 1950s.
The portrait is painted, as was often the fashion at this time, on a rather coarse canvas, giving an added texture to the painting. The frame is the original one and the canvas remains unlined; a clean and re-varnish was all that was necessary to bring these glowing colours back to life.
This is an excellent portrait and fully redolent of its time .. the Second World War was over and people, especially the young, looked forward to a brighter and better time.
JOHN THOMAS YOUNG GILROY (30 May 1898 – 11 April 1985) was an English artist, portraitist and illustrator, best known for his advertising posters for Guinness, the Irish stout. He signed many of his works, simply, "Gilroy".
Born in Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England, Gilroy attended Durham University until his studies were interrupted by World War I, during which he served with the Royal Field Artillery. He resumed studying at the Royal College of Art in London, where he remained as a teacher. He taught at Camberwell College of Arts.
In 1925, he gained employment at S.H. Benson's advertising agency, where he created the iconic advertisement art for Guinness featuring the Zoo Keeper and animals enjoying Guinness. He worked with Dorothy L. Sayers. He created cover designs for the Radio Times, most famously, in 1936, one depicting a laughing cat.
He was also an accomplished portrait painter, numbering royalty, politicians, actors and many others amongst his sitters. He worked in his large studio at 10 Holland Park, London, the former home and studio of Sir Bernard Partridge.
He was a long-standing and much loved member of the Garrick Club, where he was created a Life Member and Chairman of the Works of Art Committee 1970–1975. He was awarded and Honorary MA by Newcastle University in 1975, and was made a Freeman of the City of London in 1981
He married twice. First, in 1924, to Gwendoline Short, an artist like himself. They had one son - John Morritt in 1927. His second marriage, in 1950, was to Elizabeth Margaret Outram Bramley.
SIZE: 47 x 37 x 2.75 inches including frame.
PROVENANCE: by descent.
Old inscriptions and labels verso.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this Mid Century Oil Portrait to the 1950s.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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Portrait of Diana Connell C.1948-50, by John Gilroy.
