This expressive early 20th-century oil painting by American-English artist Cyrus Cuneo ROI (1879-1916) depicts several smartly-attired gentlemen holding a meeting. Cuneo was a celebrated painter and draughtsman known primarily for his illustrative work.
Illuminated by a curious silvery glow emanating from a grand window, seven figures debate the issues before them. A table is cloaked in green, while numerous papers scatter its surface. One gentleman stands, his right arm held outstretched. A chandelier hangs conspicuously. The topic of debate is unclear but, given the green tablecloth, it’s possibly related to political matters. Alternatively, it could pertain to “The Board of Green Cloth”, which was attached to the Royal Household.
Raised in San Francisco’s Italian-American neighbourhood of North Beach, the life and times of Cyrus Cuneo are somewhat wilder than many Hollywood biopics. He was born into a talented family of artists and musicians with an abundance of creativity running through his veins. As a boy, he held a single ambition, to become a professional artist, and worked tirelessly to achieve this dream.
He had a natural gift for drawing and by the age of 16, he was working for the local press as an illustrator - a role he held for three years. Keen to hone his skills, he saved relentlessly during this period with additional income derived from his bouts as a boxer.
Alongside his day job, he became the boxing fly-weight champion of the Olympic Club in San Francisco, which resulted in much-needed prize money. This, along with the sale of sketches, enabled him to head for the bright lights and famous ateliers of Paris.
In France, he initially studied at the Académie Colarossi before enrolling at the studio of James McNeill Whistler. Here, he encountered a tutor who, much to the disappointment of his pupils, was rarely in attendance. Cuneo describes his time with Whistler in an amusing document titled ‘Whistler’s Academy of Painting. Some Parisian Recollections.’ We’ve published this in our artist directory.
In 1900, while still in Paris, he debuted at London’s Royal Academy with two suitably dramatic illustrations from King Lear. And the following year, he moved to London.
Cuneo was imbued with a certain kind of energy, which was less common in his British peers. One journalist, in 1916, marvelled at “the rapidity with which he dashes off his vigorous war pictures” and how “twenty-four hours in the day aren't enough for him to finish all his commissions.” He described the stocky American as bearing “a striking resemblance to Napoleon”.
It appears that every hour of his time in London was spent toiling for periodicals and magazines, such as The Pall Mall Magazine and the Illustrated London News. He produced hundreds, if not thousands, of illustrations over a 15-year period. His approach was quite unusual in that he worked in either crayon or oil paint on board, painted without pencil drafts. This was probably a technique he adopted while at Whistler’s, as his tutor had a preference for going straight to paint.
In 1908, as recognition for his endeavours, he was elected a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. But, just eight years later, while working in his prime, he died in tragic circumstances after being accidentally stabbed with a hatpin during a dance. It was reported that the pin scratched the inside of his nose and eventually led to blood poisoning.
Cyrus Cuneo led a rapid, brief and fruitful life, seemingly living each day as his last. From San Francisco to Paris to London - his uncompromising vitality led to him fulfilling a childhood ambition and in many ways, exceeding it.
Held in a later frame.
Learn more about Cyrus Cuneo in our directory.
Medium: Oil on board
Overall size: 29” x 34” / 74cm x 86cm
Year of creation: c. 1910
Provenance: Private collection, UK.
Condition: Cleaned. Frame in excellent condition.
Artist’s auction maximum: £22,000 for ‘The Picnic’, Oil on canvas, Christie’s, Victorian and Traditionalist Pictures, London, 2008 (lot 1).
Our reference: BRV2003
