Louis Osman (1914 – 1996)

Queen Street, Exeter

Watercolour

25 x 33 cm

Inscribed in Osman’s hand on old mount (visible in the gallery of photographs).

Osman’s view of Queen Street in Exeter, complete with modish pedestrians and vehicles typical of the 1930s.

Osman was as much an artist as an architect. This is likely a portfolio piece from his time studying at the Bartlett School of Architecture, and is as such a piece of architectural history as well as a beautiful Osman design. Osman was awarded a First Class degree and the Donaldson Medal of the RIBA (for the best result in his year group) by the Bartlett, and then went on to the Slade School of Art. He subsequently trained with Sir Albert Richardson – we also have several Richardson works in our collection.

After the war, Osman busied himself as an architect. His work included contributions to Westminster Abbey, and Lincoln, Exeter, Ely, and Lichfield Cathedrals, Staunton Harold Church in Ashby de la Zouch for the National Trust, and of course his folly: the Grade I listed Elizabethan manor house, Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire, now a National Trust property.

At Canons Ashby he established a workshop and had a team of silversmiths and goldsmiths working for him. In 1976 he made the gold enamelled coffin that holds the copy of the Magna Carta on view in the United States Capitol, Washington, DC.

Condition: generally very good; some age toning.

If you’d like to know more, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056.