Flight (Memorial to Hubert Latham) by David Holt (1998)
A large original oil painting of Latham spectral aeroplane
Author
Publisher
Printing Details
Painted in 1998, this is an oil on canvas in a bespoke wooden frame (it is not glazed). The frame's inner panel has a blue ink wash. The frame measures 106 × 75cm, with the painting measuring 90 c 60cm.
Signed, titled (Flight: Memorial to Latham) and dated by David Holt to the reverse.
Dominating the upper center of the composition is a large, illuminated early monoplane—reminiscent of the Antoinette aircraft flown by pioneer aviator Hubert Latham—slanted diagonally upwards. The fuselage and wings are highlighted with glowing blue and white wireframe-like structural lines, giving it a translucent, ghost-like appearance against the dark navy background. The contrast suggests a dawn flight with the line of light indicating the start of a day, and a ghostly shadow of the aeroplane sits just behing it. In the bottom right corner, there is a shrouded or cloaked figure standing on the dark ground, depicted with subtle pink and gold hues. Near the center ground, a faint, pale object rests, echoing the structural, skeletal aesthetic of the aircraft above.
Provenance: This painting comes directly from the artist's estate, and the work is offered with full provenance.
David Holt (1928–2014). Born in Hythe, Kent. Painter and Lecturer in Art. After National Service, he trained at the Canterbury School of Art, the Hammersmith School of Art and the Royal Academy Schools where he was awarded a medal for drawing and the Knapping Prize. He joined a studio-workshop with Gerald Holtom (designer of the CND symbol) in 1958 where he designed and produced proscenium curtains for schools. In 1958 he was awarded a Harkness Fellowship and travelled across America, producing many drawings and prints of the Pueblo Indians and their life-dance in Santa Fe in New Mexico, where he also worked with artist Agnes Sims. He returned to England in 1960 and continued to paint and work on large textile appliques for schools, churches, and private houses including Spade House in Kent, the former home of H G Wells.
He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1962, and in 1964 was commissioned to design and make a large textile applique 'Christ in Majesty' which still hangs in the chapel of Christ Church College in Canterbury.
He was Head of Art at Canterbury Christ Church University until his retirement in 1995. He exhibited widely in the UK and the States and worked with many art societies and summer schools across East Kent.
His work can be found in both private and public collections throughout the UK and America, including the Yale Centre for British Art. His painting "Coastal Watcher" was recently used for the dustwrapper on Modernism and Memory: Rhoda Pritzker and the Art of Collecting (Yale University Press, 2016).
Condition
The painting and frame are in very good condition. There is some spotting to the rear of the canvas as to be expected. A remarkable piece. David's signature and titling has faded a little to the reverse.
Due to weight and size, postage is restricted to the UK though I am happy to investigate overseas mailing.
As of September 2026, books remain duty-free. The price of the book incurs no extra US import fees.
Price
£250.00
