William J. Neatby (1860-1910)

Neatby was a versatile exponent of the Arts and Crafts movement, adept at designing ceramic tiles, stained glass, metalwork and furniture, and able to turn his hand to woodcarving, enamelling, painting murals or working in gesso. He began his working life designing ceramics for Burmantofts Potteries in Leeds, before working for Doulton and Co., where he carried out his most famous work designing the tile decoration in the Food Hall at Harrods. A painting by Neatby, sold in these Rooms on 30 March 1990 (lot 514), had the same title as the present drawing and also showed a bust-length female figure in profile to left. The concept was worked out again in terms of a gesso panel.