Studio RT Ltd

Description

We are pleased to offer for sale this very well executed late Victorian Oil Portrait of an academic by the artist Charles Ernest Butler, who has signed the painting to the lower right hand corner. The sitter, in his academic gown, is seated at his rolltop desk. He has a white moustache and vandyke beard and is wearing pince-nez. Unfortunately, we do not know the identity of the sitter.

Charles Ernest Butler was born on 10th October, 1864 in St. Leonards on Sea, the son of a bookseller and stationer. He attended Highbury House School in St. Leonards, but received his art training at St. John's Wood School of Art, followed by the Royal Academy Schools.

He was a portrait, figure, mythological, marine and landscape painter, as well as being an accomplished musician, organist, conductor and composer.

In 1887, he married Agnes Millicent nee Chater, who was born in 1861 in Cambridge. They had two daughters, Mabel Ethel in 1890 and Violet Agnes two years later. Both girls were born in Chelsea. By 1901, the family were living at 2 Perham Road, Fulham and in the 1911 and 1921 censuses, they had moved to West Kensington. When Charles died on 15th October, 1933, his address was The Studio, 1 Egliston Road, Putney. He left £1765 to his wife Agnes.

He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1889 until his death a total of 22 works, 1 at the Walker AG in Liverpool and 12 at the London Salon, as well widely in the provinces. His first work hung at the RA, was a portrait of his elder brother in his BSc gown.

There are 17 of his paintings in the National Collection, which can be viewed at ArtUK.org.

The painting is framed in what is probably its original 3 inch swept gilt frame and slip. It will be supplied with new brass hangers, new brass picture and will be ready to hang.

Image size: 21 1/2 x 16 1/2 inches - 54.55cm x 41.9cm

Frame size: 28 1/4 x 23 inches - 71.7cm x 58.45cm

Medium: Oils on canvas

Condition: Very good. There are no repairs to the canvas and no craquelure or paint loss. The frame is in very good condition.