Stock Code: 2499 - SOLD

Description: Depicting himself as a small boy with a black and white jumper, the artist looks wistfully pass some friends wondering where his dog has gone. Set as many of his works were in a wintery northern townscape, yet delightful executed and full of charm, humour and detail, a delightful study by a boy nick named at school as BRAAQ, but christened Brian Shields.

Further Information: Born in Liverpool in 1951, to father Dennis Shields, who himself was a highly regarded artist, however having twelve children found it difficult to support his family through painting alone. Brian’s eldest brother pursued a successful career in America as a sculptor. Brian’s adoption of the unusual pseudonym of ‘braaq’ is actually a misspelling of the famous French artist Braque which, on account of his artistic talent as a boy, was Brian’s nickname at school. The name ‘Ann’ after his own signature was a reference to his sister who died at the young age of 21 and in whose memory all of his subsequent paintings were dedicated.

Brian held his first exhibition in 1974. In 1977 he was invited to hold his first of four exhibitions in London’s West End. It was after this exhibition that ‘The Times’ described him as “one of the six most successful artists in England”. All Brian’s paintings are based, in a humorous way, on his childhood memories of Liverpool. He frequently painted himself as a boy wearing a striped jumper. In 1997 at the age of 46 Brian died, leaving a contribution to the art world which ranks him among the leading artists in the country.

Condition: Excellent. Light cleaning and re-framing in a modern British style frame.

Country of Origin: England

Artist & Painting: Brian Shields (aka BRAAQ), British (1951-1997) – “I’ve lost me Dog” – oil on board, signed and dated “Braaq (19)77 Ann”, lower left.

Provenance: Private collection UK

Dimensions of Canvas: Height 25.00 inches (63.50cm) Width 19.00 inches (48.26cm)