Archibald George Barnes, Portrait of Louisa E. Boycott-Grazebrook, Early 20th Century, Oil Painting on Canvas

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An outstanding three-quarter-length portrait by the renowned british-canadian artist archibald george barnes rp, roi, ri (1887–1972), depicting louisa e. Boycott-grazebrook … Read more An outstanding three-quarter-length portrait by the renowned british-canadian artist archibald george barnes rp, roi, ri (1887–1972), depicting louisa e. Boycott-grazebrook (née wight-boycott, 1877–1933). Signed by the artist and dating to the early 20th century, the portrait is an accomplished example of barnes's refined approach to portraiture, combining an elegant composition with the restrained tonal qualities for which his work became known. The sitter, louisa e. Boycott-grazebrook, came from a well-connected british family and was raised at rudge hall in shropshire. In 1902 she married walter osbern grazebrook in calcutta, india. Walter belonged to a prominent industrial family and represented the third generation involved in the family's iron and trading interests. The couple were associated with british society in india, giving the portrait an additional layer of historical and social interest. Archibald george barnes was a distinguished portrait painter, war artist and educator. Born in london in 1887, he studied at the st john's wood school of art and subsequently at the royal academy schools. His portraiture reflects the influence of leading artists of the period, including john singer sargent and charles sims, particularly in its tonal sensitivity, compositional elegance and sophisticated treatment of the sitter. Barnes established a considerable reputation as a portraitist and was elected to the royal society of portrait painters in 1923. His work was admired for its composed and elegant character, and examples of his paintings are represented in institutional collections in britain and canada. The combination of a named and historically documented sitter, distinguished artist and surviving signature makes this a particularly interesting example of early 20th-century british portraiture. Artist archibald george barnes rp, roi, ri (1887–1972) sitter louisa e. Boycott-grazebrook, née wight-boycott (1877–1933) period early 20th century signed signed by the artist, oil on canvas See less