Pastel Portrait, circa 1947
We know of only two works for which Edwin chose to use pastels. They're both portraits, and have similarities in composition and palette, but they're very different in style! First we see 'Pastel Portrait', strange and striking, where Edwin's interest in Cubism is evident. Here's how Helen Scott describes it in her book 'Edwin G. Lucas: An Individual Eye':
"This pastel drawing shows Lucas exploring another type of media. It is not known if this work was intended as a portrait of a specific individual or developed as a more generic figure study. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that the overall composition and colour scheme have similarities with a contemporary portrait of the artist’s young nephew."
"This pastel drawing shows Lucas exploring another type of media. It is not known if this work was intended as a portrait of a specific individual or developed as a more generic figure study. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that the overall composition and colour scheme have similarities with a contemporary portrait of the artist’s young nephew."
And then we see the other work she refers to. It's a portrait of Edwin's nephew, Harry Sutherland, wearing his school uniform. Edwin exhibited it in 1950, titled 'Schoolboy' and dated 1947.
Schoolboy, 1947, Pastel on Paper, 29cm x 22.5cm