British Artist Ley Kenyon Watercolor. View Of Chelsea Reach On The River Thames.

Description: For sale is a spectacular exhibited watercolor by the well regarded British Artist Ley Kenyon (1913 - 1991) Kenyon did illustration work earlier in his career before shifting to fine art painting. We present an exceptional example of his watercolor paintings here. Great detail to the architectural structures The painting features a dramatic view of Chelsea Reach on The River Thames. Great detailing of the surrounding architecture and the boat marina and a lovely treatment of the interplay between the water and sky. An exceptional work The painting is signed and dated 1984 by the artist lower right. This painting retains an exhibition label on the reverse from the National Trust & British Heritage show in 1984. Condition: Very good. Framed and matted under glass. **NOTE: IF SHIPPED OVERSEAS THE GLASS WILL BE REMOVED AND NOT SHIPPED*** Measurements Framed - 17” x 21” Sight Size - 10 1:2” x 14 1/2” Ley Kenyon (1913 - 1991) Ley Kenyon was a professional artist between the wars. He was captured by the Germans and continued to paint on scraps of paper from the Red Cross parcels. His skill was noticed and he became the forger of documents for the escape committee. A film was made "The Great Escape" where they used a wooden horse for vaulting outside, to cover the escape. Donald Pleasance played his character. However, there was an element of "licence" in the telling of the story - his eyesight was fine but he didn't escape because they had drawn lots as to who would escape first. He had drawn a very high number and consequently didn't get to go down the tunnel as it was discovered before he had a chance to go through. This ultimately saved his life. He thought of himself as a cat with nine lives as he had escaped death on so many occasions. He wasn't only a fine artist, he gave fascinating talks on his time as a prisoner of war with reference to The Great Escape and he also dived with Jacques Cousteau and wrote a very successful book on diving. Most of his drawings of the tunnel building can be seen at the RAF museum. He had also taught art at Chelsea Art School and told amusing stories about employing Quintin Crisp as his life model. He taught Prince Philip to scubadive in the pool at Buckingham Palace. He was a truly remarkable man and was painting right up until the time of his sudden death in 1991.

Price: 495 USD

Location: Kingston, New York

End Time: 2024-12-06T05:03:37.000Z

Shipping Cost: 28.75 USD