BRITISH SCHOOL (20TH CENTURY)VIEW FROM A CLASSICAL BALCONY, A PAIR OF DECORATIVE MURAL PANELS Gouache and collage on canvas laid to board The largest 238 x 123cm (93½ x 48¼ in.); 150 x 88cm (59 x 34 3/4in.)Unframed (2)Illustrated in the foreground of the present lot is the book The Last of Uptake by former diplomat and writer Simon Harcourt-Smith. This work was illustrated by Rex Whistler, a renowned British artist who specialised in murals, portraits, and theatrical stage designs. The Last of Uptake is not typical for Harcourt-Smith's work, the reason being it started as a tale for his wife who was recovering from a car accident. The story follows Ladies Tryphena and Deborah who live in a decaying Palladian mansion. The house and pleasure gardens are filled with curiosities such as roman ruins, a Chinese Pavilion, and a shell grotto. Whistler's interest in set design brought these illustrations to life. This wall mural in particular pulls in elements from the classical world such as the Roman ruins which Whistler was also known for using in his designs. This work has been inspired by Whistler's work this can be seen through the placement The Last of Uptake book placed face down in the central forefront of the painting, as a nod to the artist and how he inspired this work.Gouache and collage on canvas laid to board