Elvic Steele (British, 1920-1997) richly colored and pattern-filled oil painting on masonite portrait of a Staffordshire dog sitting on a Windsor chair in on a patterned plum tablecloth in front of moss green wallpaper. Signed en verso. Artwork measures 26” x 21.25” in custom, cream painted and gilded wood frame. Both frame and artwork are in very good condition.
In 1946 Steele was awarded a sabbatical to study under Sir Cedric Morris at the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing at Benton End. It was in Morris' beloved garden at Benton End that she found inspiration for many of her works. She continued studying and painting there until the 1970s. Steele became both a biologist and a botanist as she continued to study art. Her intimate knowledge and love of the natural world is evident in her work.
