Studio RT Ltd

Description

This is a very rare and wonderfully vibrant watercolour by the Anglican Christian missionary painter Alfred David Thomas, who has signed the painting verso and dated it 1936. The painting has been inscribed on the old backing board, which we have retained, 'Painting by Alfred Thomas, 1936, as design for large painting in the side chapel of the Church of the Redemption, New Delhi'.

The painting depicts Christ standing in the middle of his disciples, commanding them to and preach the Gospel to the World. The larger painting from this design actually hangs in the Chapel of the Ascension, as well as two lunettes and another painting by this artist. The church was built between 1927 and was opened for worship in 1931, the same year that it was consecrated. To see this work, which is featured on the website of the church, put the Church of the Redemption New Delhi into google and click on the paintings section.

Interestingly, according to the website, the figure 0f the young man in the pale green robes to the left of the painting, is a self-portrait of the artist and the means by which he signed the painting.

Alfred David Thomas was born on the 9th February 1908 in Agra, Utter Pradesh, India and was the son of Samuel Gilbert Thomas and Jinogru. He was baptised at St. John's Church in Agra, and his father was a teacher at St. John's College.

He studied at Lucknow School of Art in Santiniketan, took lessons from Bineswar Ken and Nandalal Bose and he then attended Visva Bharati University under Abandanindranath Tagore (the father of modern Indian art). Alfred also studied in Florence, Italy, where he married and eventually moved to England in the second half of his life, where he kept a studio in Chelsea, until his death in 1989.

His religious paintings were discussed in a book by William A. Dyrness entitled 'Christian Art in Asia' and Alfred Thomas also wrote a book called 'The Life of Christ by an Indian Artist 24 Paintings' published in 1948. His book is available second hand by searching on google.

The painting has been newly double mounted in two tone acid-free mountboard and newly framed in a bronze frame to complement. It will be supplied wired and ready to hang.

Image size 21 3/4" x 13" - 55.25cm x 33cm

Frame size 29 3/4" x 20 1/2" - 75.55cm x 52cm

Medium Watercolours

Condition Excellent condition with no foxing or fading. The mounts and frame are new.