Still Life of Roses (1942)

The significance of this picture lies with its date. In 1942, the Germans held sway over Europe from the Atlantic to the Caucasus; in February Singapore had fallen to the Japanese and in June Rommel had captured Tobruk. It was the lowest point of the war. Even Churchill’s premiership was under threat.

Are these emblematic English roses laid on the tomb of the nation?

Cowan Dobson (1893 – 1980) became a leading portrait painter of well-known society, political and military figures; his sitters included Amy Johnson, Clement Attlee, Earl Beatty, Harold Wilson, and King Olaf of Norway. His full name was David Cowan Dobson, but he dropped his first name as his reputation grew.

In 1931 Dobson married Phyllis Bentley, a London socialite famed for her beauty and their house in Edwardes Square became one of the great salons of the day.  Cowan was smitten by her and painted her portrait more than 100 times during his lifetime.

Cowan Dobson’s work has been offered at auction multiple times, the record price for this artist at auction is 18,414 USD for Portrait of Mrs Bingham-Powell sold at Bonhams Knightsbridge in 2015.