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John da Costa
Portrait of Christine Bonnar the Artist's Wife - British Art Deco Oil Painting

Circa 1930

About the Item

This alluring Art Deco portrait oil painting is by former British Newlyn artist John Da Costa. Painted circa 1930 the painting is of Christine Bonnar, the artist's wife. She was the aunt and Godmother of the previous owner. This stunning portrait was exhibited at the Paris Salon 1930/31. John da Costa was Christine's second husband and she his second wife. Besides da Costa, she was painted by Christopher Wynne Nevinson, Sir Alfred Munnings and others. The sitter is dressed in a strapless pink gown with yellow silk stole and is holding a hand mirror in her lap. She demurely gazes to the side with her right hand to her chest, similar to a ballet dancers pose. She is set against a turquoise background making this a really vibrant work. Signed lower left. Provenance. Exhibited Paris Salon 1930/31. Christine Bonnar was aunt and Godmother of previous owner. Condition. Oil on canvas, 34 inches by 28 inches unframed and in good condition. Housed in a complementary frame, 42 inches by 36 inches framed and in good condition. John Henry Alphonse Da Costa (1866-1931). Da Costa's full name was John Henry Alphonse Frederick Francis Da Costa. He was born at Teignmouth, Devon and listed as a Newlyn resident in the 1891 Census as living at Cliff Castle Cottage in Belle Vue (1896), the address from which he sent-in to the RA and Manchester. This was the house of Henry and Elizabeth Maddern, where many artists lodged before. With him in 1891 are recorded Mary Josephine Da Costa, a widow (possibly mother) from Metz, Germany, and Oscar M J Da Costa of the 21st Hussars from St Helier, Jersey. John is listed as a Fine Arts Student from Teignmouth, Devon. He exhibited with the Cornish painters at Dowdeswells in 1890, with Beg, Sir and with A Pastoral at Nottingham Castle in 1894. Costa studied in Paris from 1877- 1879 and was a pupil of Gustave Boulanger and Jules Lefebvre and exhibited in Paris at the Salon de Artistes Francais, of which he was a member and received and honourable mention there in 1903 and a bronze medal in 1907. By 1897 Da Costa is mentioned by Norman GARSTIN in his article in the Studio 'as being no longer among us' and bemoaning the fact. From Newlyn he moved to London, later to Oxfordshire, and then to various addresses in Kensington and Chelsea. By 1904 he was running his own art school classes in Kensington, London (Studio), with the help of his Newlyn friend Theresa Norah Copnall. The artist died in London on 26 May, 1931, age 64.
  • Creator:
    John da Costa (1867 - 1931, British)
  • Creation Year:
    Circa 1930
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 42 in (106.68 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU853113077812
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