British Military Portrait of Guards Division Staff Officer - Henry Creer

An impressive mid-20th century British military portrait, oil on canvas, depicting a senior Guards Division Staff Officer in No. 1 Dress, signed by the artist Henry Creer lower left. The officer is shown half-length against a restrained olive-green background, wearing the distinctive scarlet tunic and elaborate white-plumed ceremonial headdress associated with the Guards. Particularly striking is the substantial court-mounted group of decorations worn across his chest, documenting a military career apparently extending from the First World War through the Second World War and into the post-war period. The group of eight decorations comprises a Military Cross, 1914 Star with clasp and First World War campaign medals with Mentioned in Despatches emblem, Defence and War Medals 1939–45, 1953 Coronation Medal and United States Bronze Star. This represents a particularly distinguished combination of British campaign, gallantry and foreign awards. The apparent medal group is especially interesting because it suggests an officer whose military service potentially spanned around four decades. ARTIST Signed “Henry Creer” lower left. The portrait is competently executed in a traditional British military portrait style, with particular attention given to the ceremonial uniform, medals and facial features. Unframed.