Thread by @RobertBohan

Thread: William Leech (1881-1968) was an Irish painter. He was a Post Impressionist who painted light & colour. Unknown outside of Ireland his pictures are a delight for the eye.

Born in Dublin into a professional Unionist family he went to the Metropolitan School & then the RHA Art School where he had the good luck to study under Walter Osborne. He left for France in 1901. (Images by Osborne)

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He spent time in France & was open to influences. Later Matisse & Derain were his lodestars. He was at the Académie Julian (the main studio for foreigners in Paris). He went on to Brittany (1903). Paris (1901), Beach, Dublin (c1906) & Concarneau (c1903) & Blue Nets (c1903)

Leech was back in Dublin in 1903. He tried as a society portrait painter but there was not the demand there. He was noted for his small plein air landscapes. He left for London (1910-14). Caves, Concarneau (c1910-3), Howth (c1909) & Playing by the Shore (c1910s) & Seascape (nd)

Based in London with his parents he regularly travelled to France. He was elected an RHA in 1910. Grasse (c1917), Midi Landscape (c1920s) & Barber Shop (c1909)

One of the highlights of Leech’s work are his snow scenes. Interior of a Cafe (c1909) & Snow Scene (c1912)

His Convent Garden (including his partner dressed as a novice) is considered his masterpiece. Convent Garden (c1913), Elizabeth (1910-12), Children on the Beach with Breakers (1912) & Girl with a Tinsel Scarf (c1912)

A particularly exciting part of his work are his series of aloe paintings which show his command of colour & light. The Sunshade (1913), Aloes (1914), Un Marin (1918) & Les Soeurs du Saint-Esprit (1912)

His portraits do not set out to flatter his subjects. For him light is always the main goal in his work. Three Children in a Summer Landscape (c1922), The Garden, Maida Vale, London (1920s), James Botterell (1926) & Aloes (1920s)

Another feature of his work is his painting of suburbia. These works, again, are his excuse to explore light as a kaleidoscope of colour. A Lawn (1930s), Regents Park, Summer (1937), The Pool of London (c1939) & Steps of the Cours (1930s)

Light in its reflection & refraction continued to be his key subject until his death. Reflections (c1930), Still Life with Tulips (c1930s), Bridge in Regents Park (c1930s) & Self-Portrait (nd)

A series of paintings of London landmarks was his response to WWII. His own studio was bombed out. St Giles, London (c1940s), The Norman Collonade, Christchurch Priory (c1949), Boats (c1940s) & Bowl of Fruit (c1944)

Haystack (c1945), The China Horse (c1945), The Terrace (c1940) & Refugee (c1947)

The ‘50s saw a turn towards domestic scenes. Tea Trolley (c1950s), Self-Portrait (1958), Window Sill (1950s) & Painting in the Garden(1950s)

As the years passed, his work remained the same. He was content to continue with a style first evinced in the 1920s. Grey Bridge, Regents Park, London (1950s), The Lake, Regents Park, London (1950s) & The Tea Tray (c1950-60s)

He died in 1968. Chloe Abbott (1965). Leech was an excellent painter, he may not have been ground breaking or evolutionary but his work is attractive & pleasant.

For Republic of Ireland residents today is the last day to place an order for Christmas. Please do so ASAP!

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