James Herbert Gunn, (British, 1893-1964)

Harbour scene

Harbour scene
signed 'HJames Gunn.' (lower right)
oil on canvasboard
35.5 x 45.4cm (14 x 17 7/8in).

Provenance
Anon. sale, Christie's, London, 31 May 2012, lot 55.
Portland Gallery, London.
Private collection, UK (acquired from the above).

The present lot was probably executed when Gunn visited the South of France in 1926 and when his signature changed from 'H.J.Gunn' to 'HJames Gunn'. The location is possibly Antibes, Cote d'Azur. Other works from this period evidence an interesting approach to composition, with a high horizon line and pronounced foreground.

Gunn is perhaps best known as one of the foremost British portraitists of the 20th century but his career began as a painter of landscapes. After enrolling at the Académie Julian in Paris, he travelled widely in Europe and North Africa and produced works that reflected a clear love of painting en plein air.