Philip Naviasky (1894-1983) Portrait of a young girl, head and shoulders, wearing a purple spotted shirt Signed, pastel, 40.5cm by 36cm Artist's Resale Rights/Droit de Suite may apply to this lot, please refer to our Terms of Business See illustration Born in Leeds to Polish-Jewish immigrant parents Barnet Naviasky (born Berel Neviazhsky) and Fanny (née Levinson), Naviasky won a scholarship to the Leeds School of Fine Arts in 1907. In 1912, he was the youngest ever student accepted into the Royal Academy school. After winning a Royal Exhibition Award. He went on to study at the Royal College of Art, before taking up a post as an art teacher at the Leeds College of Art. He married Millie Astrinsky, the tailoress daughter of Lithuanian immigrants to Leeds in 1933. The couple had a daughter, Sonia, in 1934, who sometimes features in Naviasky's portraits, and who became an artist in her own right, (see lot 63). Naviaksy's works recall the shimmering vibrancy of the post-impressionists, characterised by their bold usage of vibrant colours, extended across all of his subject matters. He was very prolific in his output and travelled widely painting in Spain, the south of France and Morocco. Although painting many fine landscapes, Naviasky is perhaps best regarded for his portraiture. his works are held in many important collections such as the Bradford Museum and Art Galleries, Leicester Museum and Art Galleries and the Atkinson Art Gallery Collection.