Sale now closed

This summer we have a the privilege of showcasing a private collection of British Modern Art. The collection provides an intimate encounter with the heart and soul of British art from the 20th century. From Paul Maze’s Jessie to Steven Spurrier’s 1890s party goers and Stephen Bone’s quaint scenes, each piece is a testament to artistic genius.

Take a look through the collection below the mini-bios of the artists in the collection.

Paul Maze (1887 – 1978)

Often called the last of the Impressionists, Maze had a reputation as one of the great artists of his generation. Born into an artistic circle in le Harve in 1887, the young Maze learned the rudiments of painting from family friends that included Renoir, Monet, Dufy and Pissarro. His father, a tea merchant, sent him to school in Southampton where he began a life long love affair with all things English.

During WWII he encountered Winston Churchill and a mutual interest in painting led to a lifelong friendship, often with Maze acting as Winston’s artistic mentor. Writing from Chartwell before WWII Winston described Maze as “an artist of whose keen eye and nimble pencil record impression with a revealing fidelity.”

Paul Maze fell in love with Jessie Lawrie in the early 1930s. She became the second Mrs Maze in 1950 and the couple remained devoted to each other until Paul’s death in 1979. He painted and drew Jessie constantly, almost to the exclusion of anyone else. This intimacy found in his small pastels of Jessie say much for his feelings for her. They are the most natural of all his subjects. One would guess after years of living under the artists eye, Jessie appears oblivious to the viewer and artist as she carries on with her daily routine, bathing and dressing un-posed and undirected.

Steven Spurrier (1878 – 1961)

Steven Spurrier, a talented illustrator from a silversmithing family, rose to prominence as a news artist in the early 20th century. His work graced the pages of leading publications and earned him recognition through exhibitions at the Royal Academy. Known for his sharp wit and technical skill, Spurrier became a household name, capturing the essence of the era through his illustrations.

With a keen eye for caricature and a dedication to his craft, Spurrier consistently delivered timely and impactful artwork. His influence extended beyond journalism, as evidenced by his contributions to Queen Mary’s dolls house and his active roles within the art community. In an age before visual media dominated, Spurrier’s illustrations served as a vital window into the world for the British public.

Stephen Bone (1904 – 1958)

Born in London, Bone he studied at the Slade School of Art from 1922 to 1924 under Henry Tonks. In 1925 won a gold medal for wood engraving in the International Exhibition in Paris. From 1936 to 1939 he served on the committee of the Artists’ International Association, helping artist refugees from Germany to live and work in Britain.

During WWII Maze served as a civilian camouflage officer and later as an Official War Artist for the Navy. He was art critic to the Manchester Guardian from 1948. In the 1950s he emerged as a broadcaster, frequently serving on the panel of BBC radio programmes ‘The Critics’ and ‘The Brains Trust’, and on the long-running and television programme ‘Animal, Vegetable and Mineral’. In 1957 he was briefly Director of Hornsey College of Art before his untimely death in London a year later.

Sale now closed.