MAX HOFLER (1892-1962) THE OLD TOWN BARNARD CASTLE OIL

Max Hofler (1892-1962) “The Old Town Barnard Castle” oil on board

Excellent condition minor  small marks to frame

Framed size:  48cm x 40cm   Unframed: 39cm x 32cm

SOLD

Painter and architect born in Edmonton, London to an Austrian father and French mother. Was educated at Archbishop Tenison’s Grammar School in Lambeth and with special permission at Heatherley’s School of Fine Art in Chelsea (aged 14).  He studied at St. Martin’s School of Art, then for five years in the evening at the Royal Academy Schools.

Exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1938-1940, also at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours.  Was a founder member of the Wapping Group of Artists and Harrow Art Society.  ROI and others.

Painting and art inspired Hofler from an early age but due to family pressures he was forced to pursue a career in architecture. It was only when World War II broke out that he was able to return to his beloved painting.

His work has been sold at leading auction houses including Sotheby’s and Bonham’s.

The Wapping Group of Artists began in 1939 in docklands.  They met up at the Prospect of Whitby pub in Wapping east London where they would sketch and paint the River Thames.  In 1946 after the war the Wapping Group was formally founded and limited to 25 artists whose sole aim was to delight in painting plein-air and restricted to April to September.  Their first three exhibitions were staged at the Port of London Authority headquarters before moving to the Royal Exchange Galleries where they remained until 1981.

Reference No. 3758