$431
"Gunner" F. J. Mears (English, 1890-1929) British Soldiers Marching Towards Ruins at Night. Signed "Gnr F.J. Mears BEF" l.l., from his series of views from The Great War. Watercolor, sight size 5 x 7 in., framed. Condition: Not examined out of frame. Note: Mears, who served with the Royal Garrison Artillery in France and Belgium during the First World War, noted after the war that through his watercolors he tried to express the horror of warfare as experienced by a soldier in the trenches. Thirty of his works were exhibited at 20 Old Bond Street in London in May 1920. Lady Astor, the Duchess of Norfolk, acquired on of his paintings, after which an article in the Daily News of May 7, 1920 bore the headline "Art genius who paints in a garret. Lowly man's pictures bought by aristocracy."
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2015-04-02