the collector's folio

Oswald Birley Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Oswald Birley our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Oswald Birley · 1880 – 1952

Sir Robert Witt by Oswald Birley

1931 · Courtauld Gallery, London · original 106 x 92 cm

This 1931 realistic portrait by Oswald Birley captures Sir Robert Witt with quiet dignity. Discover the elegance of this masterful oil painting.

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #1: Sir Robert Witt

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20029 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$49492 × 106 cm Commission at original size

Oswald Birley, Sir John Edwin Mitchell (1863–1931), OBE (1930)

1930 · Staffordshire County Buildings, Stoke-on-Trent · original 127 x 100 cm

Admire Sir John Edwin Mitchell’s dignified 1930 portrait! A classical oil painting of a legal figure, showcasing rich blues & elegant details. Explore this timeless artwork.

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #2: Sir John Edwin Mitchell (1863–1931), OBE

Art Movement: Contemporary Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$593100 × 127 cm Commission at original size

Oswald Birley, Ernest Rutherford (1871–1937) (1932)

1932 · The Royal Society, London · original 154 x 104 cm

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #3: Ernest Rutherford (1871–1937)

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20025 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$703104 × 154 cm Commission at original size

Clement Attlee (1883–1967), 1st Earl Attlee, Wearing DCL Robes, Commoner, Prime Minister (1945–1951) by Oswald Birley

1945 · University College, Oxford · original 91 x 71 cm

A dignified portrait of Clement Attlee in vibrant red DCL robes by Sir Oswald Birley captures the formal essence of 1945 British history, offering a timeless piece for your collection.

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #4: Clement Attlee (1883–1967), 1st Earl Attlee, Wearing DCL Robes, Commoner, Prime Minister (1945–1951)

Art Movement: Contemporary Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20029 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$38471 × 91 cm Commission at original size

Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay (1883–1945), KCB by Oswald Birley

1947 · original 110 x 83 cm

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #5: Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay (1883–1945), KCB

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20027 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$47483 × 110 cm Commission at original size

John Lancaster (1842–1918) (1905) by Oswald Birley

1905 · original 124 x 98 cm

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #6: John Lancaster (1842–1918)

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$57598 × 124 cm Commission at original size

Oswald Birley: Sir Ellis Jones Griffiths (1860–1926), KC

1914 · Aberystwyth University School of Art Museum And Galleries, Aberystwyth · original 177 x 114 cm

Admire Sir Ellis Jones Griffiths by Oswald Birley – a striking 1914 oil portrait of a judge. Explore realism, dramatic lighting & rich textures in this authoritative masterpiece.

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #7: Sir Ellis Jones Griffiths (1860–1926), KC

Art Movement: Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20026 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$842114 × 177 cm Commission at original size

Mrs. Henry E. Huntington (Arabella Duvall Yarrow Huntington Huntington) (1924)

1924 · Hispanic Society Museum - Library, New York

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #8: Mrs. Henry E. Huntington (Arabella Duvall Yarrow Huntington Huntington)

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Joseph E. Widener by Oswald Birley, 1928

1928 · National Gallery of Art, Washington · original 184 x 133 cm

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #9: Joseph E. Widener

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20026 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$984133 × 184 cm Commission at original size

Ernest Rutherford, Lord Rutherford of Nelson (1871–1937), Cavendish Professor (1919–1937) by Oswald Birley, 1932

1932 · Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge · original 151 x 100 cm

Formal portrait of Ernest Rutherford by Oswald Birley (1932). A striking oil painting showcasing a scientist's dignity & intellect amidst scientific equipment. #art #portrait #rutherford

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #10: Ernest Rutherford, Lord Rutherford of Nelson (1871–1937), Cavendish Professor (1919–1937)

Art Movement: Contemporary Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20026 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$673100 × 151 cm Commission at original size

Hastings Rashdall (1858–1924) by Oswald Birley, 1923

1923 · New College, Oxford · original 128 x 103 cm

1923 Portrait of Hastings Rashdall by Oswald Birley. A striking oil painting featuring a dignified clergyman in red robes. Academic realism, somber tones & masterful brushwork.

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #11: Hastings Rashdall (1858–1924)

Art Movement: Academic Portraiture
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$609103 × 128 cm Commission at original size

Andrew W. Mellon by Oswald Birley

1933 · original 163 x 135 cm

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #12: Andrew W. Mellon

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$902135 × 163 cm Commission at original size

Geoffrey Luttrell (1887–1957) (1929)

1929 · Dunster Castle · original 146 x 117 cm

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #13: Geoffrey Luttrell (1887–1957)

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$739117 × 146 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of a Rhodes Trustee, 1929, Oswald Birley

1929 · The Rhodes Trust, Oxford · original 135 x 102 cm

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #14: Portrait of a Rhodes Trustee

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20027 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$629102 × 135 cm Commission at original size

John Viscount Sankey by Oswald Birley

1929 · Jesus College, Oxford · original 120 x 100 cm

Admire 'John Viscount Sankey' by Oswald Birley (1929). A classical oil portrait of a barrister in opulent robes, showcasing academic realism & dramatic lighting. Explore this dignified artwork.

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #15: John Viscount Sankey

Art Movement: Academic Realism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20029 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$570100 × 120 cm Commission at original size

Sir Thomas Kelly, Lord Provost of Glasgow (1929–1932) (1932) by Oswald Birley

1932 · original 152 x 102 cm

Admire Sir Thomas Kelly’s portrait by Oswald Birley – a stunning 1932 oil painting showcasing refined elegance & civic duty in muted browns & gold. A timeless piece of British art.

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #16: Sir Thomas Kelly, Lord Provost of Glasgow (1929–1932)

Art Movement: Academic Portraiture
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20026 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$686102 × 152 cm Commission at original size

John Sampson Furley (1855–1949), Mayor of Winchester, 1938, Oswald Birley

1938 · original 107 x 127 cm

Portrait of John Furley, Mayor of Winchester by Oswald Birley. A realistic oil painting capturing an elderly statesman's dignity & intellect. Explore this 1938 masterpiece.

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #17: John Sampson Furley (1855–1949), Mayor of Winchester

Art Movement: Contemporary Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20035 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$623127 × 107 cm Commission at original size

Oswald Birley, Diana Langton, Lady Montgomery-Massingberd (1872 -1963) (1943)

1943 · original 88.1 x 68.7cm

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #18: Diana Langton, Lady Montgomery-Massingberd (1872 -1963)

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$55039 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$72088 × 69 cm Commission at original size

Field-Marshal Sir Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd GCB, GCVO, KCMG (1871-1947) by Oswald Birley, 1943

1943 · original 90.4 x 69.2cm

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #19: Field-Marshal Sir Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd GCB, GCVO, KCMG (1871-1947)

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20039 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$37790 × 69 cm Commission at original size

Air Marshal Sir Richard Peirse (1892–1970), KCB, DSO, AFC by Oswald Birley, 1940

1940 · original 137 x 89 cm

Explore Oswald Hornby Birley’s striking 1940 portrait of Air Marshal Peirse. A classic oil painting showcasing military authority & elegant style – a captivating piece for art collectors.

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #20: Air Marshal Sir Richard Peirse (1892–1970), KCB, DSO, AFC

Art Movement: Contemporary Realism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$57689 × 137 cm Commission at original size

Marye Frances Pole Carew (b. 1903) (1947) by Oswald Birley

1947 · Antony House · original 65.0 x 50.0cm

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #21: Marye Frances Pole Carew (b. 1903)

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20038 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27665 × 50 cm Commission at original size

Cynthia Mary Burns, Lady Carew Pole (d.1977), Oswald Birley

1945 · Antony House · original 73.0 x 61.5cm

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #22: Cynthia Mary Burns, Lady Carew Pole (d.1977)

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$22526 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$34362 × 73 cm Commission at original size

Admiral of the Fleet Sir James Somerville (1882–1949), GCB, Oswald Birley

1947 · original 125 x 90 cm

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #23: Admiral of the Fleet Sir James Somerville (1882–1949), GCB

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20026 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$54590 × 125 cm Commission at original size

Oswald Birley: Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Cunningham (1883–1963)

1947 · original 125 x 88 cm

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #24: Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Cunningham (1883–1963)

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20026 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$53688 × 125 cm Commission at original size

Oswald Birley: Sir Charles Wright (1876–1950)

1944 · original 135 x 110 cm

Admire Sir Charles Wright by Oswald Birley (1944), a stunning realist portrait in muted tones. Explore this late 19th-century academic style painting – a captivating piece of art history.

View the most popular artwork of Oswald Birley ranked #25: Sir Charles Wright (1876–1950)

Art Movement: Contemporary Realism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 156 artworks by Oswald Birley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$665110 × 135 cm Commission at original size

The artist

Oswald Birley

1880 – 1952

Quick facts

Also known asSir Oswald Hornby Joseph Birley, Sir Oswald Birley, Capt. Sir Oswald Hornby Joseph Birley, Capt. Sir Oswald Birley, Oswald Hornby Joseph Birley
Movementscontemporary realism
Room fitoffice, living room
Creative periodsmature period
Best occasionsluxury
Corpus themesroyal portraiture influence, birley's royal commissions, british portrait tradition, royalist portraiture style, 20th-century realism
Mediumsoil on canvas, oil
NationalityNew Zealand

Biography

The Distinguished Legacy of Sir Oswald Birley

Sir Oswald Hornby Joseph Birley stands as a monumental figure in the history of British portraiture, an artist whose brush captured the very essence of an era defined by transition and grandeur. Born on March 31st, 1880, to a lineage steeped in military significance—his father, Hugh Francis Birley, was a man of notable historical weight—Birley’s early life was shaped by the disciplined traditions of the British upper class. His formative years at Harrow School and Trinity College, Cambridge, provided more than just an elite education; they instilled in him a profound appreciation for classical scholarship and a meticulous eye for detail that would later become the hallmark of his artistic mastery. This intellectual foundation allowed him to approach portraiture not merely as a technical exercise, but as a deep psychological exploration of his subjects.

The trajectory of Birley’s life was irrevocably altered by the onset of the Great War. Serving with distinction in the Royal Fusiliers and later within the Intelligence Corps, he demonstrated a bravery that earned him the Military Cross in 1919. This period of intense conflict and service brought a unique depth to his character, infusing his later work with a profound understanding of human resilience, leadership, and the weight of responsibility. The shadows of war and the gravity of wartime intelligence likely contributed to the subtle, soulful realism found in his depictions of the world's most influential figures, allowing him to look beyond the surface of fame to find the humanity beneath.

A Master of Royal and Global Portraiture

Birley’s ascent to the pinnacle of the art world was cemented through his extraordinary relationship with the British Monarchy. Securing the patronage of King George V and Queen Mary, he became the preeminent chronicler of the Edwardian and interwar periods. His style, characterized by an exquisite command of light, subtle tonal gradations, and a meticulous attention to texture, allowed him to render the regalia of royalty with breathtaking accuracy while maintaining an intimate connection to the sitter's spirit. He did not merely paint crowns and ermine; he painted the dignity and the burden of sovereignty.

Beyond the palace walls, Birley’s reach was truly global, as his talent attracted the most significant leaders of the 20th century. His portfolio serves as a visual record of history, featuring iconic likenesses of figures such as:

Winston Churchill, capturing the resolute spirit of British leadership.
Mahatma Gandhi, portraying the profound simplicity and strength of the Indian independence movement.
Members of the British Royal Family, documenting the continuity of tradition through changing decades.

His ability to pivot between the opulent settings of the aristocracy and the stark, powerful presence of political revolutionaries demonstrates a versatile genius. Through his work, the textures of silk and velvet are balanced against the raw, psychological intensity of his subjects' gazes, creating a body of work that is as much about character as it is about composition.

Artistic Technique and Historical Significance

The enduring significance of Sir Oswald Birley lies in his ability to bridge the gap between traditional academic portraiture and a more modern, psychological realism. While his technique remained rooted in the classical traditions of fine detail and formal elegance, his focus on the inner life of his subjects predated much of the emotive depth seen in later portraitists. He possessed a rare ability to use light not just to define form, but to suggest mood and historical weight. Every stroke was deliberate, contributing to an atmosphere of permanence and remembrance.

As we look back upon his life and work, Birley remains more than just a painter of the elite; he was a historian of the human face. His portraits serve as windows into a vanished world, preserving the likenesses of those who shaped the modern age. Through his mastery of the medium, Sir Oswald Birley ensured that the dignity, the struggle, and the triumphs of his subjects would remain etched in the collective memory of the art world forever.

Questions & Answers

Can I explore Oswald Birley's works by keyword?

The By Keywords page of Oswald Birley groups the artist's artworks by their keywords.

How can I see every artwork made by Oswald Birley?

Every work by Oswald Birley on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.

Can I study Oswald Birley's use of color across all works?

The color profile of Oswald Birley's work is shown on the artist's Palette Genome page.

By the OriginalUniqueArt.com Editorial Team Updated Oct. 15, 2026

Collector's quiz

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

Commission your Oswald Birley

Every artwork by Oswald Birley in our catalog can be painted to order, in the size that suits the room.

All artworks by Oswald Birley