No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more

Leslie Roy Hobdell (1911-1961) Leslie Roy Hobdell grew up in Herne Hill, South London and studied at Camberwell School of Art and Crafts under Stanley Thorogood. Leaving Camberwell in 1927 he joined the Bruce Angrove Commercial Studio where he worked until 1932 when he moved to Lintas. He attended life classes at St Martin's School of Art, and apart from a brief period during the War remained at Lintas up until his death in 1961. In the late 1930s, Hobdell met Angus McBean with whom he shared a love of the theatre and ballet. Their friendship led to Hobdell working on a number of McBean's backdrops, and painting trompe l'oeil murals for him in 53 Endell Street and in Suffolk. The Picture Post issue of February 17th 1940 features their collaboration on the surrealist article 'How to Photograph a Beauty'. Stage design was to remain one of Hobdell's passions: he designed sets for the Ballets Negres in the late 1940s, and sets for The Magic Flute and other productions. Through the world of opera he met Dame Joan Sutherland, a friend of long standing. Hobdell exhibited his work, notably at the Redfern Gallery in 1951, and with Arthur Jeffress Gallery. For the Festival of Britian Exhibition of 1951 he painted a series of flower paintings on glass, and some large trompe l'oeil doorways for the Observer Film Festival of 1956. From time to time Hobdell sold his paintings through Peter Jones in Sloane Square. These he signed with the names of his two cats, Giles and Emma Farquharson.

Leslie Roy Hobdell (1911-1961)

The grand hall

Details

Leslie Roy Hobdell (1911-1961)
The grand hall
signed and dated 'L Roy Hobdell 54' (lower right)
bodycolour
20¼ x 15½ in. (51.3 x 39.3 cm.)
Inscribed to the reverse 'Roy Hobdell. Painted background for Angus McBean 1947 used in his studio in Endell Street WC2. See portrait of Constance Cummings, National Gallery. See Stephen Calloway's Baroque Baroque p.134 1994.'

Literature

D.Winsor, 'Photo Finish', The World of Interiors, June 1983, pg.157.
Stephen Calloway, Baroque Baroque, London 1994, pg.134.
Robin Muir, 'The Legacy of Angus', The World of Interiors, September 2005.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis. This lot is subject to storage and collection charges. **For Furniture and Decorative Objects, storage charges commence 7 days from sale. Please contact department for further details.**

Lot Essay

This work by Hobdell was used by Angus McBean as a photographic backdrop for his 1946 portrait of the actress Constance Cummings which is in the National Portrait Gallery collection (NPG P63).

More from European Furniture, Works of Art, Tapestries and Carpets

View All