Lot 71: WILLIAM DRING, RA (BRITISH, 1904-1990) - PORTRAIT OF MISS MADELINE HENSON

WILLIAM DRING, RA (BRITISH, 1904-1990)
PORTRAIT OF MISS MADELINE HENSON
signed and dated: William Dring/45 l.l; oil on canvas
72cm x 61cm; 28 1/4in x 24in
Exhibited: London, Royal Academy, 1946, no.468. Painted at Dring's home near Winchester at the end of the Second World War, the present work must rank as one of his finest and most engaging portraits. Full of a spring-like optimism that reflects the era, Dring was at the height of his power as an artist. Fresh from his work as a War artist Dring had executed numerous portraits and studies of men and women on active service, as well as Land girls on the Home Front. Strongly a period piece, the sitter's demeanour and short hair cut may well suggest her return from work in munitions or the land army