Herbert James Gunn (1893-1964)
| Artist Name | Herbert James Gunn (1893-1964) |
|---|---|
| Title | Portrait of Pauline Gunn, the Artist's Daughter |
| Description | This lovely Scottish early 1950's poignant portrait oil painting is by noted artist Sir Herbert James Gunn. The sitter is Pauline Celia Whinney Gunn (1923-2006), his youngest daughter. When Gunn's three daughters from his first marriage were very young, they were often the subject of his paintings; depicted playing with their mother Gwendoline. However, following their divorce, Gunn was forced to focus on alternative subject matter as they were estaranged. This portrait is particularly poignant, as it marks the first time Gunn painted the youngest of the three, Pauline, since her childhood. Gunn waited to ask Pauline to sit for this portrait until 1952, when she was thirty and had children of her own. Despite Gunn and Pauline being estranged when she was growing up, this portrait marks the start of a relationship that was rebuilt in adulthood. Pauline kept the portrait and handed it down to her children. She was married twice, to Charles Vernon Colville Booth Jones and then to Timothy Barclay Fitgeorge Parker. The portrait is a half length seated portrait of Pauline, hands folded in her lap, gazing directly at the artist, her father and of course the viewer and she is smiling. She is dressed in a navy blue double breasted jacket with fur collar standing out against a light grey background. One can see the details of her facial features, blue eyes, red lipstick, diamond earrings and the shine of her dark hair. This is a superb 1950's portrait and a lovely poignant example of Gunn's work. Signed and dated lower right 'James Gunn .'52', also signed and inscribed on the frame reverse 'Pauline 3rd daughter of James Gunn the artist' |
| Provenance | The sitter, Pauline Gunn, and by descent to the present owner. Christie's 2023 label verso. |
| Medium | Oil on Canvas |
| Size | 25 x 30 inches |
| Frame | Housed in a Bourlet Le Brun frame, 37 inches by 32 inches and in good condition. |
| Condition | Good condition. |
| Biography | Herbert James Gunn (1893-1964). Glasgow-born Gunn briefly studied art at Glasgow and Edinburgh before moving to the Académie Julian in Paris in 1911. Whilst in Paris, Gunn met William Hutchison who was to be a friend for life. After serving with the 10th Scottish Rifles in the First World War, Gunn returned to Scotland where he married twice within a decade. His second wife, Pauline Miller, became a model for some of his best-known paintings. In 1929 Gunn decided to devote himself to portraiture and soon established a prolific and successful career. His portraits are sometimes sombre but always carefully painted, with close attention to detail. His distinguished sitters include Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and the Queen Mother. |
| Price | £9000 |
