Field-Marshall Sir Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd GCB, GCVO, KCMG (1871-1947)
Sir Oswald Hornby Joseph Birley (Auckland 1880 – 1952)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1943 (signed and dated)
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
904 x 692 mm (35 5/8 x 27 1/4 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Gunby Hall Estate, Lincolnshire
NT 637642
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Field-Marshall Sir Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd GCB, GCVO, KCMG (1871-1947) by Sir Oswald Hornby Joseph Birley (Auckland 1880 – 1952), signed and dated, bottom left: Oswald Birley 1943. A half- length portrait to right in uniform of field marshal, holding his baton. In 1896 he married Diana Langton and in 1926 on the death of her brother, Stephen Langton Massingberd, who died withhout issue, assumed the additional surname of Massingberd. He was Adjutant-General,1931-33,C.I.G.S.,1933-36. In 1935 was made a Field-Marshal. Portrait painted subsequent to the compilation of 1944 catalogue. Lady Montgomery-Massingberd is recorded as disliking this portrait of the Field-Marshal because it made him look like 'a beery old man'. Lady Montgomery-Massingberd was a life-long teetotaller. Companion picture to GUN/P/39.
Provenance
1944, gifted to the National Trust by Field Marshal Sir Archibald and Lady Montgomery Massingberd.
Credit line
Gunby Hall, The Montgomery-Massingberd Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
Sir Oswald Hornby Joseph Birley (Auckland 1880 – 1952), artist