SIR NORMAN HARTNELL (1901-1979) ORIGINAL, HAND SIGNED WATERCOLOR, 20IN x 23.5IN (51cm x 60cm)

Inventory #: 25-1264 - $500.00

Sir Norman Hartnell (1901-1979) original, hand signed, watercolor painting of a woman in an elegant evening gown. This refined, original fashion illustration by Sir Norman Hartnell, Britain’s preeminent couturier of the mid-20th century, presents an elegant evening gown rendered in watercolor and ink. The composition features front and rear views of the design, a classic atelier format intended to communicate construction, silhouette, and ornamentation. The gown is executed in luminous shades of blue, with delicately articulated embellishment at the bodice and a flowing skirt, reflecting Hartnell’s hallmark fusion of sophistication and glamour. The exaggerated coiffure, elongated proportions, and confident line work are characteristic of late 1950s–early 1960s couture presentation drawings, created during the height of Hartnell’s international reputation following his royal commissions. Signed “Norman Hartnell” at the lower margin, this work represents an authentic studio design sketch rather than a later reproduction. Original works by Hartnell are scarce on the market, particularly those retaining strong color and visual clarity, making this a desirable example for collectors of fashion history, British design, and 20th-century works on paper. This piece is double matted and framed under acrylic in an ornate, golden frame. With frame, it measures 20 inches x 23.5 inches, and it was acquired from a Central Virginia estate. FREE SHIPPING FOR THIS PIECE WITH INSURANCE WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

About the Artist: Sir Norman Hartnell (1901–1979) was one of the most influential British fashion designers of the 20th century and the preeminent couturier of postwar Britain. Renowned for his romantic, opulent style, Hartnell rose to international prominence through his association with the British Royal Family, most famously designing Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding gown (1947) and coronation gown (1953). Hartnell’s work is characterized by refined tailoring, luxurious fabrics, intricate embellishment, and a theatrical elegance that helped reestablish London as a center of high fashion after World War II. In addition to royal commissions, his couture clientele included leading aristocrats, diplomats’ wives, and society figures. He was appointed Royal Dressmaker and knighted in 1977 for his services to fashion. Original design drawings and watercolors by Hartnell offer rare insight into the creative process behind British couture at its highest level and are highly sought after by collectors of fashion history and 20th-century design.