Hi all,your thoughts on this pastel please. Frame looks possibly antique to me. Signature maybe ‘Doully’ or ‘Dowlly’? Frame size is 70x100cm. Apologies for the poor photos,it’s framed behind glass with makes it difficult to take photos without reflections. Thank you for any comments
Not quite antique. 1930s from the look of it. Doesn't appear to have been painted by anyone who ever attended a classical ballet performance. Debora
Thanks for comment. Well I’ve attended a few classical ballet performances (as my older sister was a ballet dancer and then teacher and later had her own ballet school) And I rather like it (so that’s a good thing )
Try South African artist Dorelle Humphrey Sapere. I think it may be she. (Her gemsbok are no more convincing.) Debora
According to Sotheby's her full name was Dothothy E.S. Humphris but the internet also has her as Dorothy Ella Summerton Humphris which is more likely, I think. 1906-1965. Debora
Ditto. I used to dance a lot, different styles, but started with classical ballet as a girl. If I had danced like that they would have banned me from the stage. The male dancer looks to be dancing on pointe, which male dancers don't do (except occasionally in travesty). And it is impossible for him to support the female dancer while he is on pointe. It does have a very nice mood though, and a known artist is good.
More here: "Artist and illustrator on the staff of The Argus in the 1930s and 1940s." Studied in Paris in the 1950s. https://africacommons.net/collections/30704/dorelle-collection/
