Arches (original)


Sir William Russell Flint

P.R.A., P.R.W.S., R.S.W., R.O.I., R.E.






russell flint watercolour, Arches
'Arches'
signed 'W Russell Flint';
Image size:- 13.75 x 17.25in.
Watercolour
sold 15/07/2008
£ 52,850

It is likely that Arches was painted at Madame Rambert's practice room at the Mercury Theatre on Notting Hill, close to Flint's studio. Flint painted a number of watercolours of ballerinas practicing their steps, but at first did not find it easy to capture their movements; 'I usually fight shy of ballet subjects because ballet has such a fanatical following and the artist who is not just right gets short thrift. I had very good ballet dancers as models and I think I drew them reasonably accurately; but the criticisms I got! One 'balletomane' inspected my studies very earnestly; said they were incorrect but marked a few as passable. I was quite meek - whose dog was I that I should bark at Authority? So I said 'Let's look at Degas' and produced the Phaidon book. 'Ah, Degas!' exclaimed my inspector. We looked at the wonderful works, I with enjoyment, he in silence. After a long time he burst out with 'But they're all WRONG!' So I was consoled... Madame Rambert was so kind in letting me sketch in her class-room.' (Quoted in Arnold Palmer, More Than Shadows: A Biography of Sir William Russell Flint P.R.W.S., R.A., 1943, p. 26)

We have specialized in the paintings and prints by SirWilliam Russell Flint for over thirty years, and have on display over
500 edition prints, signed and unsigned; Also original watercolour paintings and red chalk drawings, for sale.
The limited edition prints, particularly the signed, limited edition prints (ie. pre 1969) were very sought after at the publication date,
and the entire edition could be sold out within several hours of release.
There is no 'second' edition, these are the original signed, limited editions that have over the years become highly collectable and
sought after works of art, some of which are over seventy years old.
Recognized worldwide as a fine watercolour master, Sir William's work enjoys the prominence amongst a collection of the finest and most experienced painters of our time.
You may be interested to view two of our websites featuring the work of highly regarded wildlife artist, David Shepherd read more
and the signed prints and drawings of Britain's most sought after artworks by L.S. Lowry read more