Christopher Tombs Ltd

Description

We are offering to you these Beautiful Pair of Racing Pigeon Paintings.

EDWARD HENRY WINDRED (1875-1953).

'MR A.SMITH'S PRIDE' & MR A. SMITH'S HEXHAM KING'

PAIR OF OIL PAINTINGS ON CANVAS

Both signed in lower right corner.

Both inscribed with full bird descriptions along lower edge.

Sat within the Gold Frames

They are offered in unrestored Condition and Plenty more images available upon request.

Frame Dimensions - 48cm x 37.8cm x 4cm

Canvas Size - 31cm x 41cm

Nobody knows exactly how many pigeon portraits were produced, but their popularity peaked in the 1920s and 1930s.

During this period, several self-taught artists specialised in painting racing pigeons for their proud owners.

Probably the most prolific of these artists was E.H. Windred, whose paintings are still among the most commonly found today.

Originally from a mining background, he moved to London and lived in or near New Cross Gate.

By trade, he worked as a barber and had no formal artistic training.

This lack of training led Windred to develop a highly distinctive and practical technique.

He kept a collection of cardboard or plywood silhouettes of pigeons in various shapes and postures.

He would hold these up against the live bird until he found the one that best matched its stance, then draw around the silhouette to create the outline.

To capture the correct colours and feathering patterns, he would keep a few feathers from the pigeon after it was returned to its owner and use them as a reference.

Interestingly, pigeon lofts rarely appeared in these portraits.

Like most artists of the time, Windred preferred to paint idealised rural or countryside scenes as the background.

He also followed the common practice of including the fancier’s name, the pigeon’s own name, its ring number, and details of its racing performances directly on the canvas.

Delivery to you within the UK is included in the asking Price.

Shipping is also a Pleasure so please do contact us for a quote.

Thanks for looking and we welcome all inquiries.

Chris

07778655965