Portrait of an artist

Details

Oliver Hilary Sambourne Messel (1904-1978)
Portrait of an artist
signed and dated 'Oliver Messel/1940' (on the canvas-overlap)
oil on canvas
34½ x 28½ in. (87.7 x 72.5 cm.)

Special notice

Artist's Resale Right ("Droit de Suite"). Artist's Resale Right Regulations 2006 apply to this lot, the buyer agrees to pay us an amount equal to the resale royalty provided for in those Regulations, and we undertake to the buyer to pay such amount to the artist's collection agent.

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Lot Essay

During World War II Messel served as an officer alongside fellow artist Julian Trevelyan. Messel went on to win international acclaim for his exquisite taste and mastery of period style in revues, plays, films, interiors, buildings, musicals, operas and ballets, becoming one of the most sought-after and highly-paid scenery and costume designers of his era. The namesake suite that he designed at the Dorchester Hotel is preserved as part of Britain's national heritage.

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