Portrait of Francis Festing, Commander British Forces Hong Kong with Chinese hardwood frame

An interesting portrait – especially for the frame – of Sir Francis Festing (1902-1976) by Claude Harrison (1922-2009). Festing was a senior British Army Officer who was the Commander of British Forces in Hong Kong from 1945-46, and 1949. It is believed to have been it painted around this time. The frame is large Chinese hardwood carved around the outside with dragons and bats.

Harrison was from Lancashire, trained at Preston College of Art and Liverpool College of Art before service with the Royal Air Force service in India, Burma and China in World War Two. He most likely painted this portrait towards then end of that service in Asia. Afterwards he studied at the Royal College of Art.