The Girl With The Blue Ribbon c.1950 | PHILIP NAVIASKY (1894 - 1983)

The son of Polish immigrants, Naviasky won a scholarship to the Leeds School of Fine Art in 1907 at the age of just thirteen, before being accepted into the Royal Academy Schools just five years later, the youngest ever student. After winning a Royal Exhibition Award, Naviasky went on to study further at the Royal College of Art.

Naviasky is best known for his portraiture with his distinct, bold and confident style combined with a technical brilliance. Although painting many prominent figures of the times, including Ramsay McDonald (1866-1937), Labours first Prime Minister, Naviasky was also widely recognised for capturing the charm, youth and innocence of children such as The Girl With The Blue Ribbon.