Sir Edward John Poynter P.R.A. 1836-1919. British School. Watercolour drawing depicting of a lady in a garden with her book and cat, initialled lower left and dated 1909. 35 by 26 cms. Image. 54 by 45.5 cms. Overall framed. Inscribed to reverse with artist's address and title "In A Nook With A Book". Provenance: Old Christies (?) auction stencil to reverse. Private Collection UK.
Poynter trained in London and Paris, and established his fame with his immense painting, Israel in Egypt, 1867. He worked on a number of decorative schemes and his paintings of mythological subjects won him a considerable contemporary reputation. Widely considered to be the most accurate and accomplished draughtsman of his era. He was appointed the first Slade Professor in 1871, and director of art at South Kensington in 1875, Poynter was influential in introducing French principles of art teaching into England. He later served as Director of the National Gallery from 1894-1904, and as President of the Royal Academy from 1896-1918.