A Portrait of John Hedgecoe, later Professor John Hedgecoe RCA
signed 'Ray Walker' (lower left); further signed and dated '1977' to the reverse
oil on canvas
130 x 112cm

Liverpool born artist, Ray Walker, is perhaps best known for the monumental murals he painted across the London skyline throughout the 1970s and '80s. It is not entirely surprising, therefore, that his portrait of acclaimed photographer, John Hedgecoe (1932-2010), a giant in his field, should be on a similarly grand scale.

Born in Brentford, London, in 1932, Hedgecoe was 14 when he received his first camera as a gift from his father. Less than twenty years after receiving that portentous gift, Hedgecoe had established himself as one of Britain’s leading photographers and had founded the Royal Collage of Art's Photography School. During his illustrious career, he produced in excess of thirty photography books which were exhibited throughout the world and he was responsible for capturing one of the most reproduced and, indeed, iconic images: Queen Elizabeth II’s profile as featured on British postage stamps. Whilst most popularly known for his portraits of writers and artists, he is also known to have taken pleasure in photographing largely unknown individuals; a facet of his career captured by Walker in the present lot.

Alongside Hedgecoe, who stands holding his camera and with a roll of film at his feet, Walker depicts some of Hedgecoe’s most iconic subjects, including Augustus John, Stanley Spencer, David Hockney, Noel Coward, and the unmistakable profile of Henry Moore silhouetted against the fabric of a deck chair, alongside more obscure models, such as Louise, the young, smiling contortionist.

Condition Report

Oil on canvas which is unlined and attached to a wooden stretcher. The canvas has good tension and is in plane. The paint layers are in a good condition overall. There are some light scuffs and scratches to the surface and a layer of dirt and dust. The darker paint passages have developed drying cracks as the paint layer has cured, notably in the camera. The plain wooden frame is in a sound condition with some marks and wear.