Studio RT Ltd

Description

We are offering for sale this very well executed Portrait oil on canvas board of a Lieutenant in the British Army during WW1 by an unknown artist. The painting depicts a half length portrait of the young officer with both arms folded in ront of him, leaning on the back of a chair. He still has his two pips, or rank badges on his cuff, denoting that he is a Lieutenant. By about 1917, some officers had started wearing their rank badges on their shoulders, as they thought that on the cuffs, it would make it easier for enemy snipers to pick them out. This practice was against regulations, but from 1920 it became the rule that all rank badges be on the shoulders. He is wearing a Sam Browne belt and bronze lapel badges in the shape of grenades which may denote that he belonged to one of the fusilier regiments, possibly the Royal London Fusiliers.. He has blue eyes and brown hair and is wearing a signet ring on his little finger.

The painting has been newly framed in a 3 1/2 inch gilt frame. which is in a very similar style to its old frame, which was past redemption, sadly. We have retained the old backing board in the new frame, with a label on it which shows that it was originally framed by William Whiteley Ltd., a Department Store in Bayswater.

Image size: 17 5/8 x 13 5/8 inches -44.8cm x 34.6cm

Frame size: 24 3/4 x 20 3/4 inches - 62.75cm x 52.55cm

Medium: Oils on canvas board

Condition: Very good. The surface is clean and there is no damage or craquelure. The frame is new.