Thomas Hardy by Reginald Eves, 1823-1903

Thomas Hardy

Reginald Eves, 1823-1903

Oil on canvas

1923

23 3/4 x 19 3/4 inches

This image from the Roy Davids collection of portraits and information about it has been reproduced here thanks to Mr. Davids and to George Plumptre of Bonham's 1873 Ltd. Copyright, of course, remains with them..

According to the Bonham's catalogue, this portrait of Hardy, which was painted at the same time as one in the National Portrait Gallery, was exhibited at the 1923 Royal Academy and has been reproduced in several books on the novelist.

About the artist the catalogue continues: "'Eves is among the few contemporary artists who have a genius for portrait work' (Bury). He had a remarkable gift for catching and fixing a characteristic expression. He developed a trademark style in which loosely worked backgrounds and unfinished edges give the impression of a spontaneous sketch' (Laver). Hugh Walpole considered Eve's portraits as 'masterpieces of sympathy and understanding.'"

References

Bury, Adrian. The Art of Reginald Eves R.A.. London: 1940.

Laver, James [revised by Ben Whitworth]. "Reginald Eves." Dictionary of National Biography. 2004.

Online catalogue. Bonham's Sale 13394 (3 October 2005). Lot 63.

Last modified 22 August 2005