Noel Denholm Davis (British, 1876–1950)

Noel Denholm Davis (British, 1876–1950)

The Old Campaigner

Oil on Canvas

• Signed and dated '1915' lower left.
• Provenance; Sotheby's London, 16th December 1987, Lot 169.  
• Provenance; the collection of Sir Jesse Boot, 1st Baron Trent (1850–1931)
• Painting - 71cm x 91.5cm
  
• Frame - 96cm x 116cm

Notes

A superb example of the work of Noel Denholm Davis.  The painting has a great provenance having been in the collection of Sir Jesse Boot, 1st Baron Trent.  The painting was then offered for sale by Sotheby's in 1987, according to the Sotheby's catalogue at the time of their sale in 1987 the painting was inscribed 'To Sir Jessy Boots, Bart. from Denholm Davis. A souvenir of the Nottingham Arts Fair November 21st 1916, in aid of the funds of the red cross and the - - Ashwell Concerts at the Front.' [sic] - the painting has subsequently been professionally relined and the inscription hidden by the lining.  The Sotheby's catalogue entry is shown in the photograph section.  Signed and dated lower left.

Condition

In very fine condition.  Professionally lined and conserved since the Sotheby's sale in 1987.  Clean, most attractive, well framed and ready to hang.

Artist Information

Noel Denholm Davis was a British artist, who worked chiefly as a portraitist.  He was born in Nottingham, England, in 1876 and studied at Nottingham School of Art, and then the Royal Academy Schools. He spent a decade working in London, before returning to live in Nottingham.  A number of his subjects have connections with Nottingham, including several owned by the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Castle Museum, and Nottingham City Museums and Galleries. One of his portraits of Jesse Boot, 1st Baron Trent is in the collection of the University of Nottingham, another of the same subject is on loan to the National Portrait Gallery. Among his other notable subjects were Albert Ball V.C. and William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army.  In 1929, Davis painted the frescoes, still extant, in the stairwell of Nottingham Council House.  He died at Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, in 1950.