About this lot

Description

Harry Becker (British, 1865-1928) Original draft invitations to A private view of paintings "Studies and Sketches in Field and Farm" at The Meryon Galleries, 24 Davies Street, Grosvenor Street, London; and to A private view of watercolour sketches "Field Labour in Holland", at Beaumont Road Studios, West Kensington, London (2 of the same subject) lithographs (3) 25.5 x 32 cm (10 x 12.5in); 21.5 x 28.5 cm (8.5 x 11in)
Provenance: From the collection of Kenneth Green Other Notes: Harry Becker was born in Colchester in 1865 of German parents who were obliged to leave Germany as a result of Bismarck's radical reshaping of the country. His father was a GP who established a successful practice in Colchester and was very supportive of Harry's early and obvious talents with pencil and paintbrush. He sent him to study at the age of 14 as a pupil of Verlat at Antwerp's Royal Academy, where Van Gogh studied just a year prior to Becker's attendance. Becker followed this with study with Carolus Duran in Paris in 1884, and later at the Bushey School of Art under Sir Hubert von Herkomer. In 1886, he had his first picture accepted by the Royal Academy for its annual exhibition. Becker's beautiful depictions of the animals and people of the countryside are a wonderful record of an ancient rural farming system and a countryside he deeply loved. His studies of heavy horse teams and grazing cattle are highly sought after. He decided to commit himself to recording the entire farming year - up at dawn to be out with the farm workers as they began their seasonal labours, and with them throughout their day.
Unframed and with a little creasing.

Back to lot listings