The Gardens of Greys Court with Members of the Brunner Family
Laurence Henry Foster Irving (London 1897 - 1988)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1959
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
340 x 490 mm
Place of origin
Greys Court
Order this imageCollection
Greys Court, Oxfordshire
NT 197016
Caption
This view of Greys Court on a summer afternoon in 1959 was painted by Lady Brunner’s brother, Laurence Irving. He has painted himself lower left at his easel. In the foreground are Lady Brunner and Sir Felix gathering flowers – Lady Brunner was very fond of fresh flower arrangements throughout the house, a tradition is continued today. The four Brunner boys are depicted playing football and cricket in the background. The work is idealised as the boys would have been far older by this date. Charles Taylor, the head gardener, mows the lawn in the foreground and other members of the Brunner’s staff also populate the painting, demonstrating the close sense of community between staff and household.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, The Gardens of Greys Court with Members of the Brunner Family by Laurence Henry Foster Irving (1897 - 1988), 1959. The gardens of Greys Court and wider estate. Sir Felix and Lady Brunner depicted in foreground, four Brunner boys playing football and cricket, gardener mowing lawn and Irving himself at easel to lower left.
Credit line
Greys Court, The Brunner Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Lower right corner: Laurence Irving's monogram Lower right corner: 59
Makers and roles
Laurence Henry Foster Irving (London 1897 - 1988), artist