Alfred Kingsley Lawrence (1893 - 1975)

Spitfire No. 303 (Kosckiuszko) Squadron RAF, Summer 1941

£3,750.00

SKU: 9870
Oil on paper
16 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. (41.5 x 60 cm)
Presentation:
framed

Size:
Height – 41.5cm x Width – 60cm

DESCRIPTION

Provenance:
The Artist’s Studio

This Spitfire belonged to No. 303 (Kosckiuszko) Squadron RAF.  It was one of the Polish squadrons that were integrated into the RAF after they were formed in this country in 1940 and was initially equipped with hawker Hurricanes. It re-equipped with Spitfire Mk. in January 1941 and the duck-egg blue band round the tail indicates that this picture dates from after the Battle of Britain because this marking did not come into use until, around November 1940. This painting must date therefore from the Spring or Summer of 1941.

With special thanks to Andrew Cormack, PhD, FSA, FRHistS for his expertise

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THE ARTIST

Alfred Kingsley Lawrence
Alfred Kingsley
Lawrence
1893 - 1975

Painter of pictures and murals and draughtsman, born in Lewes, Sussex. He studied at King Edward VII School of Art in Newcastle upon Tyne under Richard Hatton, at Royal College of Art with William Rothenstein and then in Italy as a Prix de Rome winner, 1923. Elected RA in 1938. Lawrence was a fine figure painter and a RA stalwart for many years, his work having a strong underlying draughtsmanship. Also showed RP of which he was a member and widely abroad. Among Lawrence’s notable murals are ones in Laing Art Gallery and Museum, Newcastle; Palace of Westminster; and Bank of England. Lived in London.

During WW1 Lawrence was in the Tyneside Pioneers, and according to Richard Dunning was in the front line 100 yards from Lochnagar when it was blown up. Given that the (unannounced) 27 ton explosion was heard and felt in Kew, it must have unnerved him considerably – fortunately the Pioneers were the only troops, out of 100,000, who didn’t go over the top on that day. Lawrences masterpiece, The Altruists, (first exhibited at British Empire Exhibition, Wembley, 1924, then British Pavilion, 1925 Paris and now lost) showing First World War soldiers and a selection of robed figures grouped on either side of a risen Christ, was his most ambitious serious attempt to sublimate his traumatic WW1 experiences.

With thanks to artbiogs.co.uk

MORE PICTURES BY ARTIST

SKU: 9583

Alfred Kingsley Lawrence (1893 - 1975)

Study for Persephone

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Alfred Kingsley Lawrence (1893 - 1975)

Spitfire No. 303 (Kosckiuszko) Squadron RAF, Summer 1941

£3,750.00

SKU: 9582

Alfred Kingsley Lawrence (1893 - 1975)

Head and shoulders portrait of young woman looking to the left, 1925

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Alfred Kingsley Lawrence (1893 - 1975)

Muse, 1914

£600.00

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Alfred Kingsley Lawrence (1893 - 1975)

Sergt. Pilot J.C. McWilliams, 1942

£4,750.00

SKU: 5483

Alfred Kingsley Lawrence (1893 - 1975)

The British School at Rome, circa 1923

£6,500.00