Herbert James Gunn

Herbert James Gunn, R.A. (1893-1964) Cleopatra's Needle, London signed 'HJ Gunn' (lower left) oil on canvas 18½ x 14 in. (47 x 35.6 cm.) Standing on the Thames Embankment, close to the underground station, Cleopatra's Needle dates to 1460 BC, and was built for Pharaoh Thotmes III. One of three, it was initially displayed near the city of Heliopolis until moved by the Romans in 12 BC to the Royal City of Cleopatra, Alexandria. It was through this city that the Needle acquired its name and was brought to London in 1878 to commemorate the victory over Napoleon. The signature and style dates the painting to when Gunn was in London from 1913-14, for a short period after his time at the Academie Julian, and before going to Spain.

Herbert James Gunn, R.A. (1893-1964) Cleopatra's Needle signed 'HJ Gunn' (lower left) oil on canvas 18½ x 14 in. (47 x 35.6 cm.) Standing on the Thames Embankment, close to the underground station, Cleopatra's Needle dates to 1460 BC, and was built for Pharaoh Thotmes III. One of three, it was initially displayed near the city of Heliopolis until moved by the Romans in 12 BC to the Royal City of Cleopatra, Alexandria. It was through this city that the Needle acquired its name. Brought to London to commemorate the victory over Napoleon, the Needle arrived after a disastrous sea journey, in 1878. In order to transport the artefact, a cigar-shaped ship named The Cleopatra - 93 feet long, and 15 feet wide-, was built by the Dixon Brothers, and towed by the Olga, a steam tug-boat. The initial leg of the journey was unremarkable, but unfortunately on 14 October 1877, a storm in the Bay of Biscay significantly damaged the ship. The Olga sent six volunteers to rescue the Cleopatra's crew, who tragically drowned in the attempt. To this day, their names are commemorated on a plaque on the base of the Needle. The crew were eventually rescued, and the Cleopatra cast adrift from the tug. Followed by the National Press, speculation as to whether the Cleopatra had sunk dominated the papers, until after 5 days she was found off the Northern coast of Spain. Brought to the closest port, Ferrol, the final leg of her journey was successfully completed, and, aided by the steamship Anglia, she was towed up the Thames, accompanied by the sound of cheering crowds, and erected in September 1878. The signature and style dates the painting to when Gunn was in London from 1913-14, for a short period after his time at the Academie Julian, and before going to Spain.

Sir Herbert James Gunn R.A. (1893-1964) Portrait of Sir Henry T. Holloway Kt. Oil on canvas Signed lower right 93.5 x 70.5 cm (36 3/4 x 27 3/4 in) Provenance: Presented by the Members of the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors. Please note this lot may be subject to droit de suite. Under glass, original condition, no visible damage

Sir Herbert James Gunn, R.A. (1893-1964) Granada signed and dated 'H J Gunn. 16' (lower right) oil on board 9 x 6 1/8 in. (22.8 x 15.5 cm.) with The Fine Art Society, London, 18 October 1980. Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 5 March 1999, lot 154. with Duncan R. Miller Fine Arts, London. Before the outbreak of war, Gunn travelled extensively in Spain, eventually crossing the Straits of Gibraltar to Tangier. It is likely that the present panel, although dated '16', was painted at one of the villages in the Granada region during this journey, since other similar works of 1914 are known. By 1916 Gunn had enlisted in the Artists' Rifles and was stationed on the Somme. KMc. We are grateful to the artist's daughter, Chloe Gunn, for her help in preparing this catalogue entry.

Lot 253 James Drummond Herbert (American, 1896-1970) Image from Fascination with the Figure, Proper Miss . Stamped "James D. Herbert" l.r. Watercolor on paper, sight size 12 1/2 x 9 1/2 in., framed. Condition: Not examined out of frame, staining, toning. Estimate $250-350