Sir Oswald Birley exhibition, Power and Beauty, Philip Mould & Company Gallery

Sir Oswald Birley was amongst the most successful British portrait painters of the early twentieth century. He was commissioned by the aristocracy, the Royal family, politicians, and leading figures of his day – even the Churchills commissioned oil portraits by him.

The slight snag – the majority of Birley’s magnificent portraits hang in the palaces, country houses, institutions and private homes they were painted to adorn. This autumn, however, Philip Mould & Company Gallery – specialists in British portraiture – present an exhibition of more than 50 of Birley’s most famous portraits. This one-off exhibition, initiated by Sir Oswald’s grandson Robin Birley, offers a rare opportunity to glimpse works never seen before in public.



Penelope Pike, Later Countess of Ronaldshay and Marchioness of Zetland

Birley studied art in Paris and worked as a cartographer during the First World War. In the aftermath, he established himself as a society portrait painter. Following a successful solo exhibition in 1919, Birley's reputation and fame skyrocketed, and he became the default choice for illustrious society commissions between 1919-1950.

Birley's style is instantly recognisable. Painting quickly – he required as few as four one-hour sittings per portrait – but with a technically flawless style, Birley was able to capture a remarkably good likeness. Within the frame, his cool, rich palette sings out. His oils are weighty, stiff even. We find erect upper-class sitters in shadowy drawing rooms, surrounded by heavy fabrics. They bestow a formality that is at once imposing and constraining. The commissions came rolling in. Portraits of Winston Churchill, The Marchioness of Zetland, his high-spirited young and beautiful wife Rhoda, are amongst the highlights on display.

Birley 'was a master of his craft and of a legacy of society portraiture that traces its origins to Holbein, Van Dyck and Velazquez. Here is a chance to re-meet some of the faces who so imprinted Britain's inter-war years,’ says Philip Mould & Company director, Philip Mould.

Seize the chance to soak in Birley's portraits at Philip Mould's glorious Pall Mall gallery this autumn.



Birley, 'Portrait of a young girl seated in a pink dress'

Culture Whisper Premium members will have the opportunity to attend the private exhibition viewing on 26 September. So, much like Churchill, you can enjoy a glass of champagne while you view. Redeem your free ticket now.