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Richard Hayley Lever (1876-1958), 'Sunset',

Richard Hayley Lever (1876-1958), 'Sunset', oil on board, signed and dated '06, 11" x 14" and a companion 'Breaking Waves', - a pair (2) Provenance: Bought by the vendor's parents directly from the artist in St Ives, 1906. Lever was born in Adelaide, Australia and began studying art at a very early age. An inheritance from his grandfather allowed him to visit Europe and he settled in St Ives in about 1900. Here he quickly became involved with the local art colony and used St Ives as a base to travel further. The American artist Ernest Lawson urged Lever to move to America, convinced he would be successful. In 1912 Lever left St Ives for New York. A prolific artist, Richard Hayley Lever's views of the city were immediately popular and encouraged by his success, he travelled further to New England and Canada. He was elected a member of the National Academy and was honoured with a lifetime membership to the National Arts Club, his work was exhibited in most of the leading New York galleries.