Lionel Dalhousie Robertson Edwards (1878 – 1966) was one of the greatest sporting artists of the 20th century. Most famous for his hunting and horseracing scenes, his typically British works have a strong record at auction.
Lionel Edwards, image courtesy of Rountree Tryon Galleries, which previously represented the artist
- Lionel Edwards was originally destined for the military
Born and raised in North Wales, Lionel Edwards was originally destined for the military, however he followed drawing instead, and studied at the renowned Heatherley’s School of Art in London. However, he did serve as a Remount Purchasing Officer during World War One alongside Cecil Aldin and Sir Alfred Munnings, which he described as 'four solid years of nothing but horse.' During this time, he painted regiments on active duty engaged in cavalry charges such as seen in watercolours Cheffins sold in March 2020, pictured below.
The Silent Battery, by Lionel Edwards, dated 1914, sold for £1,500 (hammer price) at Cheffins in 2020.
- Lionel Edwards was also an illustrator and columnist
Edwards regularly contributed to magazines, including Country Life and Punch, for which he was a columnist on hunting and shooting, as well as creating illustrations mainly of sporting subjects. He also contributed illustrations for books and travelogues. He became a member of the Royal Institute in 1927, and his favourite medium was watercolours, although he created more pictures with oils in his later years.
The Canadian Cavalry in Cambrai, France, by Lionel Edwards, dated 1917. Sold for £3,600 at Cheffins in 2020.
- He was a keen horseman
Alongside his wife Ethel, Lionel Edwards hunted with almost every foxhunting pack in the country. He inherited his love of the sport from his father, who died when he was only seven. He was reported to have held his first exhibition at Porlock in his early twenties, having been hunting with the Devon and Somerset Staghounds whilst on holiday with his mother near Exmoor. In 1902 he painted a stag hunting scene for this exhibition, which was hosted in a room which he had rented from the local vicar. The exhibition was a sell-out success that paid for his hunting holiday.
- He had one of the greatest outputs of any 20th century artist
Lionel Edwards’ output as an artist was incredible. He wrote almost 30 books, and illustrated plenty more, including editions of Black Beauty. Whilst also carrying out private commissions, his work featured in art competitions at the Summer Olympics in 1928, 1932 and 1948.
- Lionel Edwards has a strong auction record
Whilst the values for Lionel Edwards’ works are still in the realm of the relatively affordable, they have seen solid prices at auction since his death in the 1960s. Fans of Edwards can expect to pay a few thousand for his earlier watercolour works, whereas the later and larger oil paintings can command up to circa £90,000.
Lot 47, The Devon and Somerset Staghounds, by Lionel Edwards, dated 1949. Estimate £12,000 - £18,000. Available as part of The Fine Sale on 21st September.
Cheffins will be selling an original oil painting by Lionel Edwards of the Devon and Somerset Stag Hounds, pictured above. The painting, which is dated 1949, depicts the pack in the Barle Valley, seen from Winsford Hill. The picture was exhibited at the famous exhibition titled ‘Lionel Edwards R.I., R.C.A 1878-1966’ The Alpine Gallery, London, in 1986 which was organised by the British Sporting Trust.
It has an estimate of £12,000 - £18,000 and will be available as part of The Fine Sale on 21st and 22nd September. To view the catalogue entry, please click here.