Portrait of James Kirkup by Maurice Feild, “The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour, Mignard: The Power of Posing” at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery

James Kirkup (1918-200g) was a poet, novelist, playwright, travel writer, translator and professor who was born and brought up in South Shields. Kirkup wrote more than 45 books. In his autobiography The Only Child – An Autobiography of Infancy’ he wrote about his love for the library and museum. In later life, Kirkup spent 30 years living and teaching in Japan.

Maurice Feild was a painter who taught art at the Downs School in Colwall, Herefordshire and then at the Slade School of Art in London. His preference for painting from nature, rather than in the studio influenced a number of his pupils who also went on to gain recognition, including Lawrence Gowing and Patrick George. Kirkup also taught at the Downs School for a time, so this is how Feild came to paint his portrait.

Provenance: gift from Mrs Dorothy Fleet, 2006

Object description
Type: Easel Painting
Location: South Shields Museum, Tyne & Wear
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: Maurice Feild (1905-1988)
Date: Unknown

Image Details
Date: 31 August 2026
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Wide Camera 26mm ƒ/1.8
Focal Length: 26mm
Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/33s
ISO: 250
Licensing: Image of a North East Museums asset. This image cannot be licensed.