Lot 73: Life kindled of a fiery birth

Edward Steel Harper (1878-1951) Life kindled of a fiery birth signed with monogram and dated '1913' (lower right) and further signed and inscribed 'op No 78 "Life kindled of a fiery birth"/Edward Steel Harper/55 Moor Pool Avenue, Harbourne, Birmingham' (on a label attached to the reverse) oil on canvas, in the artist's metal frame 23 x 31 1/8 in. (58.4 x 79 cm.)

Edward Steel Harper, Jun. followed in the footsteps of his father, Edward Steel Harper, Sen. (b.1854 fl.1880-1919), a teacher at the Birmingham School of Art and art critic for the Birmingham Post, by becoming a painter. Harper, Jun.'s talents extended beyond painting to wood and metal-working and the present painting is offered in the original frame made by the artist.