Who painted Portrait of A. W. Wheen?

Portrait of A. W. Wheen was painted by Mr Edgar Holloway in 1934.

Where can I see Portrait of A. W. Wheen?

Portrait of A. W. Wheen is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Portrait of A. W. Wheen

Mr Edgar Holloway , 1934

Portrait of A. W. Wheen is a drawing by Mr Edgar Holloway. It dates from 1934 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This drawing is a preparatory sketch by Edgar Holloway for an etching, capturing the likeness of A.

About this work

Overview

This drawing is a preparatory sketch by Edgar Holloway for an etching, capturing the likeness of A. W. Wheen, a writer and translator. It serves as a foundational study for the final etched portrait (see related work E.281-2011).

Subject & Meaning

The subject, A. W. Wheen, was a figure within a specific intellectual circle in British society during the 1930s-40s. This drawing, along with its corresponding etching, offers insight into the portraiture practices and social connections of the time, highlighting the intersection of artistic and literary elites.

Technique & Style

To understand the artistic approach and style embodied in this drawing, reference should be made to the broader oeuvre of Edgar Holloway, as this sketch is characteristic of his preparatory process for etchings.

History & Provenance

Created as a preliminary work for an etching (E.281-2011), this drawing's history is closely tied to the production of its etched counterpart. Both works are valued for their dual insight into Holloway's creative process and the social milieu of their subjects.

Context

This work is situated within the cultural and intellectual landscape of 1930s-40s Britain, reflecting connections between artists and writers. Holloway and Wheen's association with notable figures like T.S. Eliot and Herbert Read places the drawing within a broader network of early 20th-century British intellectuals.

Legacy

The drawing's significance lies in its contribution to the study of portraiture techniques in the transition from drawing to etching, as well as its role in documenting the social and cultural ties among British intellectuals of the era.