Thomas Cantrell Dugdale RA RP ROI
Paratrooper

Oil on canvas
44 x 46 cm
Signed to bottom right (painted faintly)

Thomas Cantrell Dugdale (1880–1952) was a British painter and illustrator known for his refined portraits, genre scenes, and contributions to wartime art. Trained at the Manchester School of Art, the Royal College of Art, and later in Paris, Dugdale developed a style rooted in academic tradition, yet sensitive to modern influences. He gained recognition for his portraits of society figures and military subjects, and served as an official war artist during both World Wars, as commissioned by the War Artist Advisory Committee to produce portraits of service personnel. A member of the Royal Academy and president of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Dugdale was a central figure in early 20th-century British art, celebrated for his technical skill and ability to capture character and atmosphere with elegance and restraint. His works are now housed in several major collections including the Tate and the Imperial War Museum.

This sophisticated oil painting features a paratrooper looking into the distance, set against a background of parachutes billowing through the sky. Dugdale demonstrates a keen eye for detail, crosshatching the helmet to reflect its textured material and using careful brushstrokes across the paratrooper’s torso to create a sense of depth. It is, however, the soldier’s eyes that stand out most, their gentle glint conveying his emotions.

Condition: Generally very good.

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