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Nine Studies of Cecilia

Sir William Russell Flint

P.R.A., P.R.W.S., R.S.W., R.O.I., R.E.

'Nine Studies'
signed 'W Russell Flint';
Image size:- 16 5/8 x 28 in.
Red and black chalk
sold 04/06/2008
£ 63,650

One of the great proponents of watercolour, Flint was no less a remarkable draftsman and the present drawing is arguably one of the finest he executed. Flint executed many of his drawings not as studies, but as he says 'done for their own sakes, done with enjoyment which lured me away from, or which saved me from-I do not know which is correct- weightier work. Over and over again when a pose has attracted me I have hammered away at variations of it in the hope of getting at least one drawing 'just right''. He continues 'Drawing is not merely a matter of vision and skill: it is these, plus knowledge, plus a selective faculty, plus the emotion which may transmute a few lines into something permanently satisfying and perhaps-who knows?-as beautiful as loving eyes or as splendid as the flicker of the white ensign above a lean, swift ship at sea.' W. Russell Flint, Drawings, London, 1950, pp. 3-4.

The present drawing is a virtuoso exercise not only in drawing, but in the depiction of the female form. Flint was fascinated by the female form, he believed that 'a beautiful woman is one of the marvels of creation and adequate portrayal a matter of extreme difficulty'. 'Early slavery at 'the antique' left me, I suppose with a feeling for classical form and I have been remarkably lucky in getting models with what might be called Artemisian figures. The Rubenesque type is not for me.' One can pick out some of Flint's favourite models in the present drawing, Cecilia, Nicolette, Monica amongst others, arranged in this perfectly formed tableau.

Provenance: with Richard Green, London, 1997, where purchased by the present owner. Exhibited: Richard Green, An Exhibition of Drawings by Sir William Russell Flint, RA, PRWS, 1880-1969, January 1991, no. 34, illustrated.

We have specialized in the paintings and prints by Sir William Russell Flint for over thirty years, and have on display over
500 edition prints, signed and unsigned; Also original watercolour paintings and red chalk drawings, for sale.
The limited edition prints, particularly the signed, limited edition prints (ie. pre 1969) were very sought after at the publication date,
and the entire edition could be sold out within several hours of release.
There is no 'second' edition, these are the original signed, limited editions that have over the years become highly collectable and
sought after works of art, some of which are over seventy years old.
Recognized worldwide as a fine watercolour master, Sir William's work enjoys the prominence amongst a collection of the finest and most experienced painters of our time.
If you wish to visit the beautiful countryside and villages in the south west of France where Flint spent much of his time painting,
a beautiful holiday house in Dordogne is to let throughout the year.

We have specialized in the paintings and prints by Sir William Russell Flint for over thirty years, and have on display over
500 edition prints, signed and unsigned; Also original watercolour paintings and red chalk drawings, for sale.
The limited edition prints, particularly the signed, limited edition prints (ie. pre 1969) were very sought after at the publication date,
and the entire edition could be sold out within several hours of release.
There is no 'second' edition, these are the original signed, limited editions that have over the years become highly collectable and
sought after works of art, some of which are over seventy years old.
Recognized worldwide as a fine watercolour master, Sir William's work enjoys the prominence amongst a collection of the finest and most experienced painters of our time.

You may be interested to view two of our websites featuring the work of highly regarded wildlife artist, David Shepherd read more
and the signed prints and drawings of Britain's most sought after artworks by L.S. Lowry read more