STEER (Philip Wilson, 1860-1942, English Impressionist Painter and founding member of the New English Art Club, Teacher at the Slade, 1893-1930)

Typed Letter Signed to Harwood C. Lawrence saying that it is “most kind of you to offer me your congratulations on an honour which is indeed rather overwhelming. My post-bag is large and ponderous with kind messages from all my friends so please excuse this scrappy reply...”, 1 side A4, 109 Cheyne Walk, S.W.10, 3rd January

Steer’s sea and landscape paintings made him a leading figure in the Impressionist movement in Britain but in time he turned to a more traditional English style, clearly influenced by both John Constable and J. M. W. Turner, and spent more time painting in the countryside rather than on the coast. As a painting tutor at the Slade School of Art for many years he influenced generations of young artists. In 1927 Steer began to lose the sight in one eye but he continued to paint, although mostly in watercolours rather than in oils, and his compositions became much looser, at times almost abstract but by 1940 he had stopped painting.[9] In 1931 he was awarded the Order of Merit.
Harwood C. Laurence (1869-1949) was a stockbroker and Art Collector so, despite the spelling of the surname, he is almost certainly the recipient of this letter.

Item Date:  1931

Stock No:  42532      £125

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