Sir Oswald BIRLEY MC RA (1880 - 1952, English)

Portrait of Mrs. Alex Cowan

1904

oil on canvas

34 x 28 inches, inc. frame

Price: £8,000 GBP

Sir Oswald BIRLEY (1880 - 1952) was one of Britain’s most successful portrait painters. From 1919 until the early 1950s he was the go-to artist of the time, commissioned by the Royal family, the aristocracy, politicians, artists, scientists – leading figures of their day. His work hangs in many of the UK’s major palaces, country houses, institutions and private homes; his paintings rarely leave the walls which they were designed to adorn.

This work is the delicate portrait of Mrs. Alex Cowan, a lady from the British high society, painted from behind, the turn of her head catching just enough light to let us detect her expression through the shadows and offers her enticing shoulder to the viewer.