The Ever Changing Portrait of the 20th Century
What better way to look back at a century that oversaw so much change, than through the eyes of artists. Our vast Sulis archive makes for the perfect time-capsule, offering a range of portraits which narrate the styles, attitudes and lifestyles of the past 100 years. So whether you’re looking for Edwardian elegance or 70’s vibrancy, we can guarantee we’ll have just the face for it.
Naivety is a very endearing quality in a painting, especially when combined with an artistic refrain and excellent use of colour, seen here in this seriously fun Mid Century number. We also love the rustic pine frame!
A striking Post War portrait showing a French soldier. Many portraits from this era showed much depth and poignancy in the charracte’s faces. This intense and eye catching portrait is presented with gravitas in a fine quality early 20th Century gilt frame.
A taste for a slower pace of life has always been something we can get behind, and this portrait by Pamela Chard, is wonderfully serene. A boy, a book and a jar of snowdrops, a killer trifecta. The gentle flash of yellow in the book pages and swathe of pastel blue at the lower left bring colour with a more grown up feel.
Grumpy, ruffled, red faced and half dressed. No, not us in the mornings, we are talking about this relatable gentleman, of course! An Early 20th Century character, we know just how this chap feels!
Well isn’t she just amazing! We can’t get enough of the attitude that oozes from this woman. The pink shirt and raised eyebrows exerts a coolness we can all only hope to possess. This charming piece is just one portrait from our wonderful selection of Mid 20th Century portraits by E. L. Edwards. Painted at the start of a portrait revival era, the artist had a real talent for capturing how fashion and person go hand-in-hand.
This quirky self portrait dates back to the 1970’s and captures a reflective, honest moment in which the artist portrays herself on the floor of her bedroom. The houseplants, the cropped hair, the music posters all scream 70’s nostalgia and we’re finally seeing this fun aesthetic coming back around.
The close crop and vibrancy of this portrait, really are a winning combo. Plus, this little lady comes unframed, making her the perfect size to prop on a mantelpiece or dressing table.
This 1947 portrait is about as Mid Century as it gets! With texture, poise and muted, yet eye catching colours, this portrait of a boy on the edge of manhood has a wonderful tender quality that makes the viewer think of how lucky this boy was to be this age at this time. A few years earlier, and he would be signed on, perhaps never to return home from the War. A poignant and delicate portrait that pin points its moment in history quite perfectly.
Time for one of our studio favourites - this vibrant portrait takes the timeless motif of the Madonna and gives it a unique contemporary twist. Bursting with bright colours and figurative forms this dynamic piece is a great example of how 20th century artists were reimagining the classical portrait.
Susan Paine offers a beautifully sincere portrait through this relaxed composition. The woman’s distant gaze and lack of poise make for an honest depiction of home life and privacy that was so rarely seen in oil portraiture up until the late 20th century. We love the way the artist uses heavy brushwork to capture the moment.
We love the romance of this piece. From 1987, this double portrait embodies the vibrancy of the era, taking inspiration fom classical statues. Crisply framed, this oozes style (which some might say is unusual for something from the 80s...)!
In this dazzling portrait the artist perfectly uses a vivid palette and strong composition to create a charismatic portrait. Depicted against a bright yellow background the young woman’s portrait is captured in profile
Subdued and stylish, this woman’s cropped hair and dark clothing dates her back to the 1930’s. The artist uses a darkened palette that became popular in this decade, muting the tones of the paint to create gentle lighting contrasts on the contours of her face. Her distant stare and hint of a smile brings so much character to the painting. We just love the way that the sitter and artist's close relationship is so clear in this tender moment.
This particularly distinguished fellow has quite the history! We definitely suggest clicking to read all about him on our shop!
