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Antiques dealer seeks home for mystery beauty
FOR more than a decade an elegant mystery woman has adorned the office of Yorkshire antiques dealer John Simmons.
The society lady was captured on canvas wearing a beautiful evening gown in 1932 by a leading artist of the day.
However, the only clue to her identity are the words “Levy” and “Leeds” on the remaining half of a label on the back of the frame.
Mr Simmons, who is retiring from his antiques business this year at Hoyland, near Barnsley, and is slowly winding down his firm, is now hoping to reunite the portrait – which has a 1,500 price tag – with the family that commissioned it.
He said: “I bought this painting from a man in Wakefield more than 10 years ago for the simple reason that I liked it.
“It has always hung in my office and I’ve never even had a price on it.
“She’s really lovely, I think she has a real mystique about her.
“She’s dressed in typical 1930s attire and is very elegant. I’ve always called her the Elegant Lady.
“It is a huge portrait and probably not suitable for most homes, but I must admit that I won’t be too sorry if I can’t find her a home.”
The portrait is painted by Philip Naviasky, a prominent artist who was born in 1894 and lived in London and Leeds.
He was trained at Royal Academy of Art and went on to exhibit eight pictures there.
He also studied at the Leeds College of Art and may even have gone on to become principal of the school.
Mr Simmons added: “Naviasky did a lot of landscapes and portraits in pastels and pen and ink and rarely worked on oils. He was a prolific artist and I have seen others oils he has done, but not of this quality.”
He believes the 6ft 6in painting was a special commission by the Levy family, probably wealthy members of the Jewish community in Leeds.
“It is possible that this lady is still alive, although I’m sure someone will recognise her.”
Anyone who recognises the portrait can contact Mr Simmons on 01226 747599.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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