Felix Kelly (1914–1994), 'A Day By The Sea' - John Gielgud

A black and white photographic print of Felix Kelly's oil painting 'A Day at the Sea', produced for a one-off presentation in 1954. At the time, the painting was owned by the actor John Gielgud who had recently commissioned Kelly to design the sets for his latest West End play, which he both directed and starred in. This was to be Felix Kelly's first stage decoration project - he went on to design many others after this.

This framed presentation print was most likely a collaboration between Kelly and Gielgud. Kelly has signed the print in pen, and Gielgud's signature appears below that in pencil with the annotation - 'To Lily - with my best thanks from John Gielgud - A Day at the Sea - Haymarket Theatre - 100th Performance - Feburary 22nd 1954'. The 'Lily' Gielgud refers to could possibly be the actress Lillian Gish, with whom he was close friends and who often gave him moral support. The original painting that this print was reproduced from, was sold at Sotheby's in 2001 as part of the John Gielgud Estate after his death in 2000.

Felix Runcie Kelly (1914–1994) was a New Zealand-born graphic designer, painter, stage designer, interior designer, illustrator and muralist, who lived the majoirty of his life in the UK. His paintings were meticulously executed, influenced by the Surrealists, so that they exuded a mysterious and ethereal quality to them. Kelly's first one-man show was in 1943 at the Lefevre Gallery.