Watercolour, 15 x 19 cm approximately, framed with glass 28.8 x 34.5 cm, signed lower left, in good condition.

Synopsis

Augustus Morton Hely-Smith, British 1862-1941
Born at Warnbrook, Dorset, the son of a clergyman, Hely Smith studied at the Lincoln School of Art and at the Antwerp Academy. He worked abroad before settling in Looe in 1890 for a while, and, as he specialised in marine subjects, he may have studied under, or become friendly with, OLSSON at this time (Tovey). By 1899 he had moved to London.
Apparently Hely Smith was friends with an Austro-Hungarian portrait painter, Philip de Laszlo, with whom he went on painting expeditions. Smith was also acquainted with Vincent van Gogh. A letter written by Hely Smith in 1941 suggests he was very active and lucid shortly before his death.