Norah Neilson Gray (1882-1931)

Exotic - Portrait of Rita McIlraith

This stunning much exhibited 1920's Scottish portrait oil painting is by noted Glasgow Girl artist Norah Neilson Gray. Painted circa 1923, the model for the painting was Rita McIlraith but the artist did not want to use her name in the title and it was called 'Exotic.'
Norah Neilson Gray was a Scottish artist known for her striking portraits and remarkable ability to capture the essence of the sitter. She achieved international status and recognition during her lifetime, and was one of the most esteemed female painters of the early twentieth century.
She was a member of The Glasgow Girls, a group of women artists and designers active in Glasgow at the turn of the twentieth century. The group including Margaret and Frances MacDonald, Jessie M. King, Annie French, Helen Paxton Brown, Jessie Wylie Newbery, Ann Macbeth, Bessie MacNicol, Norah Neilson Gray, Stansmore Dean, Eleanor Allen Moore, De Courcy Lewthwaite Dewar, the silversmith Agnes Banks Harvey and Christian Jane Fergusson. Their paintings including Exotic were exhibited in Kirkcudbright in July and August 2010.
The painting is a seated portrait of Rita McIIraith, sat in the lotus position in a meditative pose, gazing serenely before her. She is wearing a fabulous orange and floral off the shoulder dress and in her arms are yellow and white flowers. The heavy impasto and vibrant colours are superb. A stunning oil painting by an incredibly talented Scottish female artist whose works are in numerous international museums.

Signed upper right.

Provenance Exhibited: Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts 1924, no.283, Ill.48
Exhibited the Royal Scottish Academy 1925, No. 374, entitled Exotic.
Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow Girls - Women in Art and Design 1880-1920, 1990-91, Illustrated fig. 315.
Glasgow Girls: Artists and Designers 1890-1930. Illustrated on page 52, Mr John W D Thomson.
Exhibited in Kirkcudbright in July and August 2010.

Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/gray/exotic-portrait-of-rita-mcilraith

Joan Eardley - (1921-1963) Birmingham Art Gallery

Winter Sun No. 1 1961-2

Joan Eardley spent her early career in Galsgow but became drawn to the north east coast of Scotland, especially the fishing village of Catterline. She painted it again and again, worling outdoors in all weathers. This picture shows cottages with washing hanging out to dry. Eardley bought a cottage on the cliff edge with no water or electricty as a place to love and paint. When she died, aged only 42, her ashes were scattered on the beach at Catterline. 


Although Eardley did a large number of portraits, especially of children in Glasgow, I much prefer her landscapes. However, Pauline Glass has been compared to Eardley and the portrait 
we have below is a favourite. 














Pauline Glass (1908-1992)  Richard Taylor Fine Art

Portrait of a Lady in Yellow

This is a  superb portrait oil painting on panel by British artist Pauline Glass. She was a Birmingham born artist who studied at the world famous Juliens Art Academy, Brussels, Belgium and at at the Birmingham College of Art. She was a member of the RBS and exhibited throughout her life including at the Society of Women Artists, The Royal Academy and at the prestigious New England Art Club. She lived and worked in the Birmingham area all her life.

This stunning oil is a bold, adventurous and confident portrait of a woman by a very talented British listed female artist. Comparisons with Joan Eardley and Anne Redpath are not far away and this is an expressive delight. Painted circa 1955 and in fine gallery condition, it has been an exhibited work and retains the exhibition transit labels verso. Reminds me of the Impressionist paintings of Raoul Dufy.

Provenance. Family estate. 

Click the link below for more details on this painting. 
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/pauline-glass/portrait-of-a-lady-in-yellow-3

Claudio Coello (1642-1693)

Portrait of a Spanish Noble Lady

This stunning, large portrait oil painting is attributed to Spanish Old Master Claudio Coello who is considered the last great Spanish painter of the 17th century. It has formerly been the property of Lady Beatrice in Sidmouth and is labelled verso. Painted circa 1680, the portrait is three quarter length and is of a young noble woman in a very sumptuous, ornate red dress with bows, beads, jewels, lace and heavy embroidery on it as well as red and white feathers coming from her hair. One hand is by her chest and the other reaches out to, maybe, a purse on a table, very similar to her earrings. Next to that is a bound red book and beneath that one can clearly see sheet music. Perhaps this is to indicate her love of music or singing. She gazes straight at the artist/viewer in a very confident manner, sure of her place in the world. The details and colouring are just superb, given the painting is from the 17th century and this is a rather special Spanish Old Master portrait.

Unsigned. 
 
Provenance Labelled verso, 'Portrait by Coello, Property of Lady Beatrice K??, Colematon Cottage, Sidmouth'

Click below for link to this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/gallery/new/coello/portrait-of-a-spanish-noble-lady

Aubrey Williams (1926-1990)

Pelican

This beautiful large vibrant animal painting is by Aubrey Williams, Guyanese artist. It is a watercolour/gouache painting of a magnificent Pelican and painted in 1974. Williams has recently been reassessed by the Tate and Manchester Art Galleries and been the subject of television documentaries. He was best known for his large, oil-on-canvas paintings, which combine elements of abstract expressionism with forms, images and symbols inspired by the pre-Columbian art of indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Pelicans are a genus of large water birds that make up the family Pelecanidae. They are characterised by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped-up contents before swallowing. They have predominantly pale plumage, the exceptions being the brown and Peruvian pelicans. The bills, pouches, and bare facial skin of all species become brightly coloured before the breeding season.

Titled lower left and signed and dated lower right.

Provenance Sussex estate.

Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/gallery/animals-dogs/aubrey-williams/pelican

Jean Victor Bertin (1767-1842)

Italiante Mountainous River Landscape with Hill Top Town

This stunning French 19th century landscape is by acclaimed Neo Claissical French artist Jean Victor Bertin. He was also an early proponent of sketching out doors and direct observation in order to replicate nature later in studio paintings. This superb painting of great historical interest is of a mountainous river landscape. Central is a hill top town and figures and a cart are in the foreground. A stunning painting. His works are housed in all the major art collections worldwide including The National Gallery, The Scottish National Gallery. The Louvre and the National Gallery Washington

Signed and dated 1827 lower right.

Provenance Anonymous sale, Sotheby's, New York, 28 January 2000, Lot 108
Christie's, London, Old Master Pictures, 27 April 2007, Lot 119. Acquired from the above by Lord Wraxall.

Click the likn below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/bertin/italiante-mountainous-river-landscape-with-hill-top-town