Description
Overview
A monumental two-panel painting by British Pop artist David Oxtoby (b. 1938), titled "But On The Other Hand Baby (Ray)" and signed "David J G Oxtoby" in large white script on the reverse. It is one of a pair of Ray Charles portraits from the same series; the other, also offered by Tour World Crafts, is its natural companion. The image layers several fragmented views of Ray Charles across the width of the composition, his dark glasses repeated in bold black shapes, with teal, magenta and red passages over a pale ground.
Oxtoby is best known for his expressive portraits of rock, blues and soul musicians. These two works were recovered from long-term storage in the Wilson family holdings in Byron, New York. The reverse is reported to carry an "Oct. 61" date, which is not legible in the photographs, so the exact year should be treated as unconfirmed.
Buy both: the two Ray Charles paintings are listed separately, but purchased together they receive a 25% discount (applied automatically in the cart on tourworldcrafts.com).
Local pickup only, Rochester, NY area. At roughly 74" x 98" this painting cannot be shipped; the buyer will need a van or truck and two people.
Design & Craftsmanship
- Function & Form: A large wall painting of about 74" H x 98" W, made as two side-by-side hardboard panels (a vertical seam runs down the center of the image) mounted on a wooden grid support and fitted with a slim gold-tone metal strip frame.
- Artistry & Ornamentation: Mixed media in soft pastel-like washes and hard-edged cut shapes of teal, cobalt, rose, magenta and black on a white ground, with the dark sunglasses that define Ray Charles picked out in bold outline.
- Structural Base: The reverse shows the hardboard backs on a four-bay wooden frame with original hanging wire. Title and signature are painted in white directly on the hardboard.
Condition Report
- Surface Condition: Surface soiling, scattered spotting and water staining along the lower edge, with rust bleed from mounting hardware at points around the perimeter. The metal frame strip appears intact in the photographs. Sold as found; no cleaning has been attempted.
- Structural Integrity: The wooden support and panels appear structurally sound. This item is sold "as-is" with all associated patina and wear inherent to its age and history as part of the Craft World Tours Collection.
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