Signed Meredith William Hawes, 'Asia'. Watercolor, Gouache & Pencil Study for a Mural, circa 1931
Meredith William Hawes (British, 1905-1999). 'Asia'. Watercolor, gouache & pencil study for a mural - a submission for a municipal public works project - a mural in the lobby of the regent theatre, poole. Signed 'M. W. Hawes 1931 under the mat. Abbott & Holder label to verso. Very nicely rendered and framed in modern moulding for an exhibition at Abbott & Holder in 1999.

Hawkes worked in oil, watercolor, gouache and pastel. He attended the croydon school of art and the royal college of art under William Rothenstein, Randolph Schwabe and Henry Rushbury. He held a number of teaching posts including being principal successively of bournville, portsmouth and birmingham colleges of art. He completed murals in manchester, bournemouth and birmingham and also provided book illustrations for leading publishers, including John Murray and Oxford University Press. He was made a freeman of the worshipful company of goldsmiths, for services to the arts in 1952. Hawes was a member of the royal watercolor society, the new english arts club, the society of graphic art, and the birmingham society of artists, which gave him a memorial exhibition in 1997. Abbott & Holder held a show of early pictures in 1999, at which this piece was shown.
Sight - 7 1/2" high x 28 3/4" wide. Frame - 15 1/4" high x 36" wide.

Not examined out of frame, though it presents as very good. Framed in gilt moulding with lined mat.