William Luson Thomas

Inscriptionback to top

Signed and dated lower right within image: ‘Walker Hodgson / Jan.5.92’;
inscr. in ink lower right-hand corner: ‘William Luson Thomas. R.I. / (The Graphic)’ and below in pencil ‘LONDON’;
and inscr. in pencil lower left-hand corner: ‘The copyright of this picture is not for sale / but right of reproduction only can be given.’
Old mount and backing (now removed to Primary Collection Associated Items plan chest, NPG Archive), mount stamped: ‘Mount by Caroline Woods / Jersey / Tel: 52605 No. 768’;
backing stamped: ‘C.HALFORD / ARTISTS’ COLORMAN / 86 PARK STREET / CAMDEN TOWN / AQUARELLE TABLET’.
Modern mount with example of the sitter’s signature attached.

This portraitback to top

This is part of a large sequence of portraits by (William) Walker Hodgson made between 1891 and 1895, depicting figures associated with the arts. For more information about the project see NPG collections 4041(1–5). [1]

Thomas’s bust is blocked in with broad areas of wash; the head and facial features are more minutely observed.

Carol Blackett-Ord

Footnotesback to top

1) ‘During Walker’s first year in London [1889] he was commissioned by a publisher to produce an album of portraits of artists whose paintings had been exhibited at the Royal Academy in the 1880s; note by W. Kemp (née Hodgson) 2007, NPG NoA (W.W. Hodgson). W.L. Thomas never exhibited at the RA.

Physical descriptionback to top

Half-length, seated to left, hair combed forwards, silvery beard, holding a copy of The Graphic.

Conservationback to top

Conserved, 1986.

Provenanceback to top

Coll. Personal Service League, 1934; Appleby Brothers 1957; Christopher Wood Gallery 1984; purchased Phillips, 6 October 1986 (117).

Exhibitionsback to top

A Fraternity of Artists, Christopher Wood Gallery, London, 1984 (49).

View all known portraits for William Luson Thomas