Lot 350 , Mary Fedden OBE R.A. PPRWA (1915-2012), 'The Lion and the lamb', oil on canvas, 62 x 74cm

§ Mary Fedden OBE R.A. PPRWA (1915-2012)
'The Lion and the lamb'
oil on canvas
signed and dated 1950
62 x 74cm
£20,000-30,000
Robert Donington (1907-1990) was educated at St Paul's School, London, and studied at the University of Oxford. His expert knowledge of early instruments and the interpretation of pre-classical music owed much to a period of study with Arnold Dolmetsch at Haslemere, Surrey. He was appointed OBE in the 1979 Birthday Honours.

In the late 1940's Donington shared a studio with his friend Julian Trevelyan. Here he met Mary Fedden and although already married became enamoured with her. By repute in an effort to cool his pursuit of Mary his wife encouraged him to commission work from her and thus place their relationship on a more professional basis. Mary painted his portrait as well as a view of Robert's holiday home, a converted fishermans' hut at Cadgwith. He also acquired a further work from her; 'The Lion and the Lamb'. As history records regardless of Robert's affections, Mary married Julian.

Condition:
Oil on original canvas in honest untouched condition, a little fine but stable craquelure running through some of the green paint, housed in a scrubbed pine frame with separating at the corners, Bourlet label verso and some old chalk inscriptions. Provenance - by family descent.

Sold for £29,000