Stanley Lewis (1905 - 2009)

British artist born Monmouthshire, Wales in 1905 on a farm.

He wanted to be an artist from an early age and with his parents help he went to apprentice to an architect but hated it and joined the School of Art in Newport where he learnt drawing and oil painting for 3 years and then went onto the Royal College of Art where he studied under then principal William Rothenstein alongside fellow students, Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden. He was also friends with and supported by Augustus John.

Whilst at the college he met and became engaged to Potteries born Muriel Pemberton who was also one of the fine art students studying under Rothenstein. They clearly had a close relationship with examples of Muriel posing for figurative and head studies in his paintings which were submitted for the most coveted painting prize at the Royal College The Rome Scholarship. 

Stanley returned to his native Wales whilst Muriel Pemberton continued in London to the heady heights of founding London fashion industry.

Perhaps an insight into this separation shows in this quote from Stanley:

'I must admit instinct has kept me on the straight-and-narrow path to carry on working my art into what I am: I am a farmer's son and I never craved to be in any one else's shoes.'

He continued to exhibit at the RA annual summer shows over a number of years to much acclaim, and later in the 20th century illustrating books written by his wife Min Lewis, including a book about Dylan Thomas with who they bacame friends.

Until the exhibition in 2010 which Stanley orchestrated by contacting the Liss Fine Art by email aged 101 at the time in 2006.

Barewall discovered Stanley Lewis through our interest in Potteries born Muriel Pemberton but primarily because of a close family member who lives in the Potteries. We are delighted to be able to bring this story to our collectors as well as a beautiful and exceptional collection of artworks.