RAFFAN, GEORGE (1913-1951)

“Winter Sunshine, London” (c.1939)
Oil on canvas
57 x 47cm
Signed lower left
*exhibited at Paris Salon, 1939
*exhibited at Royal Society Of British Artists, London, 1941
*exhibited at David Jones Art Gallery, Sydney, 1949
*private collection, Sydney
 
Raffan S.M.A. was a respected Australian Painter. He was born in Sydney, educated at The King's School, emigrating to London in 1930. He studied under Bernard Meninsky and Mark Gertler at the Westminster School of Art, and received high regard as a portrait painter, exhibiting at the Royal Academy Of Portrait Painters. He enlisted in the Royal Navy during World War II, rising to the the rank of Lieutenant R.N.V.R. After the war in 1948 he returned to Sydney, becoming a successful and decorated modern painter. A strict exponent of realism, and a great admirer of Picasso, he had a number of successful exhibitions at his studio-home in Double Bay. He was a multiple finalist in the Archibald and Wynne Prizes before tragically and prematurely dying at age 37, having collapsed during a game of tennis. This rare, impressive piece was clearly inspired by the likes of French Impressionist, Camille Pissarro and Dutch icon, Vincent Van Gogh. It was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1939, the Royal Society Of British Artists in 1941 and the David Jones Art Gallery in 1949.