Doe and Hope

Description

The three-quarter length depiction of a boy, freely and loosely painted, in oils on canvas, by Percy Bedford (active 1889–1918), the sitter shown in period dress with a black waistcoat and scarlet cravat, with his hands in his pockets, shown in profile on an earthy ochre ground, signed lower left P. Bedford 93, survives unrestored and unframed.

The picture is undeniably decorative, largely left untouched, there is a puncture to the upper central section as photographed. There are flaked losses to the bottom edgings. Please refer to the photographs for a full visual reference.

We cannot find a great deal of information on the artist other than he appears to have been more of a landscape painter there is a work by Bedford named A Horse Being Led over a Packbridge, in Bushey Museum and Art Gallery.

We love the unassuming and soulful way that this boy has been depicted, it has a quietness and stillness to it which is thoroughly absorbing.