Charles Mahoney:
The Wise and Foolish Virgins, circa 1928
Framed (ref: 239)

Thinned oil over pencil on paper

Tags: Charles Mahoney oil pencil children interiors RELIGION

Provenance: The Artists Daughter; thence by descent

Mahoney bought the best quality materials, often from Lechertier Barbe, in Jermyn Street. He prepared boards and canvases for painting with much care, using special recipes. In his own words: “The practical lesson to be learned is that ground and underpainting always have some effect on the final painting, even when it is not apparent, and that pictures must be carefully built up with this point in mind.” His oil paints were artist’s colours, which he applied with Hogshair and Sable brushes. He made extensive notes on pigments so that he was familiar with the chemical properties of each colour. For his mural schemes he mixed his oil paints with wax, applied to canvas that had been fixed to the wall before painting commenced. His favourite frames were purchased in the 50s and 60s from Robert Savage of South Kensington. These were beautifully made from a wide choice of mouldings and colourways.