£3,000 - £5,000
WILLIAM LIONEL WYLLIE RA RE (BRITISH 1851-1931)
BI-PLANES OVER YPRES, 1915 (THE RUINS OF YPRES)
Watercolour, signed lower left, dated 1915, 74 x 67cm (29 x 26.25"). In original annotated exhibition frame
Provenance: The artist's family, thence by descent
Note: Wyllie was known as the most celebrated marine artist of his day. Two of his sons were killed in action in the Great War, Robert (lost at Ypres) and Bill.
Wyllie's eldest son, artist Harold, had served as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps during WW1.
The principal condition issue with this picture appears to be pine burn to the central area. There is a v-shaped tear to upper right background. Other scores and abrasions throughout, mostly fairly minor apart from in the upper edge/area. The brown 'explosion' areas above the biplane to the left appear in the British Museum print. Not examined out of frame. Possibly laid on canvas.
We recommend that bidders with detailed condition queries have the picture examined by a picture conservator (strictly by appointment).
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