Lot 237: Edward Reginald Frampton (1872-1923)

A Maiden holding a Book and Flowers signed and dated 'E. Reginald Frampton 1901' (lower left) oil on canvas 23 x 81/4 in. (58.4 x 21 cm.) PROVENANCE Anon. sale, Christie's, New York, 23 February, 1989, lot 465, when acquired by the present owner. NOTES Frampton was the son of a stained-glass artist, and his flat, schematic style clearly owes much to his father's work in that medium. He was also the exact contemporary of Aubrey Beardsley: both attended Brighton Grammar School where for theatrical productions Beardsley designed the programmes and Frampton the scenery. He studied at Westminster School of Art and assisted his father for seven years before spending lengthy periods of time undertaking study in France and Italy. The early Italian masters, Puvis de Chavannes and Burne-Jones all influenced him deeply. This picture is typical of the easel paintings he produced on religious and symbolist themes. The subject is unclear, the attributes of book and flower being too generic to aid specific identification. Although both are found in depictions of the Annunciation, this picture appears too secular in tone to suggest that subject. In addition to executing several decorative schemes for churches in the South of England, Frampton exhibited regularly at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, the Royal Society of British Artists, the Tempera Society, and the Art Worker's Guild, as well the more established venues of the Royal Academy, the New Gallery and the Paris Salon. A memorial exhibition was held at the Fine Art Society following his death in 1923.