Leonard Victor Mitchell
PORTRAIT ARTIST
Leonard considered himself first and foremost a portrait artist and was sought-after in Wellington of the 1950s, working from his gallery on Lambton Quay. Notable sitters included Sir Walter Nash (whose portrait is now held in the National Collection at Te Papa), Dame Ngaio Marsh, Guide Rangi, James Chapman-Taylor, Peter McIntyre, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bennett (held in the National Collection of War Art, Archives New Zealand), Reverend Kingi Matutaera Ihaka and Eric Ramsden. Leonard’s largest work, the Human Endeavour mural at the Lower Hutt War Memorial Libray features portraits of 50 real sitters.
Some of the portraits below are held by the Mitchell family and available for sale. Please contact us to inquire.
Self portrait with Pat, in the studio, while painting the Lower Hutt Memorial Library murals, oil on canvas, 100cm x 80cm, signed Mitchell 1955. Collection of Te Papa Tongarewa.
Patricia Nickalls with Flute (NZ National Orchestra), oil on canvas, 112cm x 90cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1954. Mitchell Family collection.
Dame Ngaio Marsh in her Christchurch Home in Cashmere Hills, oil on canvas, 182cm x 137cm, signed Mitchell, 1956. Ryman Healthcare Collection.
Self Portrait in Green Jersey, oil on board, 52cm x 42cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1957. Mitchell Family collection.
James Chapman-Taylor, oil on canvas, 102cm x 72cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1958. Mitchell Family Collection.
Self Portrait in Red Dressing Gown, oil on canvas, 97cm x 77cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1969. Mitchell Family collection.
The Art Critic, Portrait of Mr. Eric Oakes Ramsden 'ER', oil on board, 100cm x 81cm, signed Leonard Victor Mitchell, 1972. Mitchell Family collection.
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Bennett DSO MA, oil on canvas, 101cm x 80cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1956. National Collection of War Art, Archives New Zealand.
Guide Rangi of Rotorua, oil on board, 85cm x 63cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, dated 1958 (on reverse). Mitchell Family collection.
Cedric Savage, oil on canvas, 96cm x 76cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1958. Background painted by Savage. Mitchell Family collection.
Rev. Kingi Matutaera, Ihaka, oil on canvas, 97cm x 77cm, signed Leonard V Mitchell, 1960. Mitchell Family collection.
Portrait of Nugent Welch, oil on canvas, 101cm x 82cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1957. Alexander Turnbull Library.
Jim Gawn, Sculptor (Clay Head of Tina), oil on canvas, 100cm x 81cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1955. Mitchell Family collection.
Mr Buwalda of Blericum, Holland, oil on board, 61cm x 50cm, signed Leonard Victor Mitchell, 1960. Mitchell Family collection.
La Femme de L'Artiste, oil on board, 60cm x 50cm, signed Leonard Victor Mitchell, 1960. Mitchell Family collection.
Self Portrait in Holland Skyscape, oil on board, 61cm x 50cm, unsigned, c1960. Mitchell Family collection.
Dame Laura Knight, oil on canvas, 90cm x 150cm, signed Leonard Victor Mitchell, 1970. Mitchell Family collection.
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Biography
Born in 1925, Leonard grew up in Ngaio. A dedicated artist, by the 1950s he was exhibiting at the NZ Academy of Fine Arts and established as a well sought-after portrait painter.
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War Memorial Library Murals
In 1955 Leonard was commissioned to paint three large murals for the new War Memorial Library in Lower Hutt - the largest murals ever to be commissioned in NZ up to that time.
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Limited Edition Prints
A selection of original artworks by late New Zealand artist Leonard Victor Mitchell (1925-1980). Please check back regularly as we will continue to post available works.
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Original Artworks
A selection of original artworks by late New Zealand artist Leonard Victor Mitchell (1925-1980). Please check back regularly as we will continue to post available works.
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Mitchell & Mitchell Book
Mitchell & Mitchell: A Father & Son Arts Legacy (2018) and tells the story of Leonard Victor Mitchell and his incredibly talented father, commercial artist Leonard Cornwall Mitchell.
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Khandallah Exhibitions
Leonard was the inspiration for Mitchell Studios gallery in Khandallah and we held dedicated exhibitions of his work, whilst trying to always give him a presence on the gallery walls.