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Listing Title:

Huge Historical Portrait Oil Painting Newlyn School Harold Knight RA (1874-1961)

Brief Description:

 A magnificent and exceptionally large three-quarter-length oil on canvas portrait of Sir Edmund Ernest Nott-Bower, portrayed seated in his richly panelled study upon a bergère library armchair, with an elegant mahogany desk at his side.

The portrait was painted during the 1920s by the celebrated Newlyn School and Royal Academy artist Harold Knight R.A. (1874–1961), the distinguished portrait painter and husband of the renowned Dame Laura Knight (1877–1970).

Sir Edmund is depicted with quiet confidence and authority, seated upright with one hand resting upon his hip while the other is placed upon the desk. Around him are carefully arranged official documents, a bound volume and a finely detailed pewter inkwell complete with a feather quill, reinforcing his position as a man of considerable importance and influence.

The wood-panelled interior is enriched by a small framed painting of the Bank of England, subtly emphasising the distinguished professional life of the sitter and adding further narrative depth to the composition.

This is a superb example of Harold Knight's accomplished portraiture and bears a striking compositional resemblance to his celebrated portraits of Robert Morson Hughes and The Council, both painted during the same period in the 1920s. Like those works, this portrait demonstrates Knight's remarkable ability to combine psychological insight with refined technical mastery.

The quality and desirability of Harold Knight's portraits continue to be recognised by collectors. His similarly proportioned portrait of Robert Morson Hughes realised £46,000 (hammer price), plus buyer's premium, at auction on 4 August 2022.

The painting remains in remarkably original condition. It has recently undergone a full professional conservation clean, during which the conservator confirmed that the work is entirely original, with no evidence of previous restoration or repair.

The canvas is signed "Harold Knight" in the lower left corner and is presented in its impressive original deeply carved gilt and gesso frame. It also retains its original giltwood presentation plaque identifying the sitter and his distinguished profession, completing this outstanding museum-quality portrait.

Attributes:

Oil on Canvas Painting

Signed: 'Harold Knight'

Circa: 1920s

Condition:

Stunning, original, ready-to-hang condition.

Overall Framed Measurements:

 INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 55'' | 139.7 cm

Width: 64.6'' | 164 cm

Depth: 2.8'' | 7.1 cm

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