A wonderfully atmospheric mid-20th-century oil painting by John Thirtle FRSA, signed by the artist at the lower right.
Painted from the wings or backstage area of a theatre, the composition looks past darkened scenery, stage equipment and members of the backstage crew towards a dancer illuminated by a brilliant spotlight. The elevated platform, ladder and lighting equipment reinforce the unusual behind-the-scenes viewpoint, while the figures in the foreground appear almost silhouetted against the brightly lit stage.
Thirtle has used a predominantly blue-grey palette, broken by shafts of white light and subtle touches of warmer colour. The loose, energetic brushwork captures the movement of the performance and the smoky, dramatic atmosphere of the theatre particularly well.
Oil on board, presented in a decorative gilt frame. There is some light age-related surface wear to the painting and general rubbing and small losses to the frame, consistent with age.
Artist John Lomer Thirtle FRSA (1899-1982) was Born in Hendon . Lived and exhibited much of his work in Uxbridge and surrounding areas. He live in Willowbank for at least 30 years and passed away in 1982 aged 83 in Somerset. He first exhibited his work in 1933 and his work was commended by the Queen (who went on to be Queen Mother).
The overall framed dimensions are approximately 60 x 80 cm, or 23 5/8 x 31 1/2 inches.
Painted from the wings or backstage area of a theatre, the composition looks past darkened scenery, stage equipment and members of the backstage crew towards a dancer illuminated by a brilliant spotlight. The elevated platform, ladder and lighting equipment reinforce the unusual behind-the-scenes viewpoint, while the figures in the foreground appear almost silhouetted against the brightly lit stage.
Thirtle has used a predominantly blue-grey palette, broken by shafts of white light and subtle touches of warmer colour. The loose, energetic brushwork captures the movement of the performance and the smoky, dramatic atmosphere of the theatre particularly well.
Oil on board, presented in a decorative gilt frame. There is some light age-related surface wear to the painting and general rubbing and small losses to the frame, consistent with age.
Artist John Lomer Thirtle FRSA (1899-1982) was Born in Hendon . Lived and exhibited much of his work in Uxbridge and surrounding areas. He live in Willowbank for at least 30 years and passed away in 1982 aged 83 in Somerset. He first exhibited his work in 1933 and his work was commended by the Queen (who went on to be Queen Mother).
The overall framed dimensions are approximately 60 x 80 cm, or 23 5/8 x 31 1/2 inches.