SOLD
 
A large and captivating midcentury oil on canvas, signed 'Paul Wyeth' and dated ''56'. It is obvious to see that this is a painting by a confident artist - from the bold use of colour, the loose brushwork, and the structured composition. Wyeth has cleverly, yet subtlely, incorporated his wife and himself into the picture by placing her dress and straw boater on one armchair, and his own coat, cane, gloves and bowler hat on the other. Their faithful pet dog sitting on the floor acts as both lynch pin between the two armchairs, and as the main focal point to draw the viewer's eye into the room setting.
 
The impressive scale of the work gives it a striking and unique impact as a work of art - had Wyeth painted this on a smaller canvas it would not have worked half as well. The painting has had new stretchers to the back, and recently been reframed.
 
Paul James Wyeth (1920–1983) A.R.C.A., R. B. A. 
Wyeth was born in London in 1920 and studied at the Hammersmith and Willesden School of Art and The Royal College of Art. Teachers during this period included Douglas Smart, Raymond Coxon, Gilbert Spencer, and Alfred Egerton Cooper. In 1951, to coincide with the Festival of Britain, Wyeth was commissioned to paint several murals for the York Assembly Rooms, as part of its restoration. He was a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Royal Society of British Artists, and the Société des Artistes Français. In 1953 he received the prestigious commission to paint a portrait of Sir Winston Churchill, to commemorate his investiture as a Knight of the Garter.
 
Whilst teaching at St Martin’s School of Art, Wyeth was a regular contributor to the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. In 1960 he featured in a Pathé Newsreel film where he is seen putting the finishing touches to his exhibit ‘Concert at Chelsea Arts Club’ at the Royal Academy for that year.
 
Wyeth was known mainly for portrait and still life paintings executed with loose and lively brushwork which showcased his flamboyance with colour and technique. He often featured his family and home in his paintings, including the family pet dogs.