The Judge, by Claud Lovat Fraser. Watercolour, initialled F at the lower right. Inscription verso ' To Leith Ross and his wife with all good wishes from their friends Haldane MacFall and Mabel Haldane MacFall, 1925.' Image measurements 8.8 X 13.8cm, framed measurements 32.3 X 40cm.
Unexamined out of frame, but condition apparently excellent.
Claud Lovat Fraser (1890-1921) was a London artist who studied at the Westminster School of Art under Walter Sickert. He was a close friend of the art critic Haldane MacFall (1860-1928), who introduced him to many important names in the theatre world. Lovat fought in France during World War I, being wounded in a gas attack in 1916, a factor that led to his early death in 1921. In 1917, he married American actress Grace Inez Crawford and it was through her encouragement that theatrical and costume design became so important to him. In this respect, one must mention Nigel Playfair's famous revival of 'The Beggar's Opera' at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith in 1921. Lovat Fraser died young, but he was to be of enormous influence upon the 1920s generation of artists - especially those who worked for the Curwen Press - such as Paul Nash, Edward Bawden and Eric Ravilious.
