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Philip May Collection

Philip William May was a renowned artist known for his exceptional sketches and portraits

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Policeman and Tramp, 1898. Creator: Philip William May

Policeman and Tramp, 1898. Creator: Philip William May
Policeman and Tramp, 1898. Attributed to Philipp William May

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Sailor and Gentleman, n.d. Creator: Philip William May

Sailor and Gentleman, n.d. Creator: Philip William May
Sailor and Gentleman, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Sketch in Picardy, 1895. Creator: Philip William May

Sketch in Picardy, 1895. Creator: Philip William May
Sketch in Picardy, 1895

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Oscar Wilde and Whistler, 1894. Creator: Philip William May

Oscar Wilde and Whistler, 1894. Creator: Philip William May
Oscar Wilde and Whistler, 1894

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Portrait of a Young Lady, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

Portrait of a Young Lady, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
Portrait of a Young Lady, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Three Card Trick, Epsom, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

Three Card Trick, Epsom, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
Three Card Trick, Epsom, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Drunken Man, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

Drunken Man, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
Drunken Man, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: The Man in the Street, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

The Man in the Street, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
The Man in the Street, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: The Modern Troubadour, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

The Modern Troubadour, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
The Modern Troubadour, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: British Seaman on Shoreleave, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

British Seaman on Shoreleave, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
British Seaman on Shoreleave, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Shawled London Character, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

Shawled London Character, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
Shawled London Character, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Portrait of a Woman with Black Hat, 1884 / 1903. Creator: Philip William May

Portrait of a Woman with Black Hat, 1884 / 1903. Creator: Philip William May
Portrait of a Woman with Black Hat, 1884/1903

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Profile of a Woman, 1894. Creator: Philip William May

Profile of a Woman, 1894. Creator: Philip William May
Profile of a Woman, 1894

Background imagePhilip May Collection: I Wonder What Caroline ll Say, 1898. Creator: Philip William May

I Wonder What Caroline ll Say, 1898. Creator: Philip William May
I Wonder What Caroline ll Say, 1898

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Portrait of Paul Maitland, Artist, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

Portrait of Paul Maitland, Artist, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
Portrait of Paul Maitland, Artist, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Man with Violin Case, 1897. Creator: Philip William May

Man with Violin Case, 1897. Creator: Philip William May
Man with Violin Case, 1897

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Dottyville Again, 1899. Creator: Philip William May

Dottyville Again, 1899. Creator: Philip William May
Dottyville Again, 1899

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Sketches at the Association Cup Football Match, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

Sketches at the Association Cup Football Match, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
Sketches at the Association Cup Football Match, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: A Stump Orator, 1899. Creator: Philip William May

A Stump Orator, 1899. Creator: Philip William May
A Stump Orator, 1899

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Pierrot, 1895. Creator: Philip William May

Pierrot, 1895. Creator: Philip William May
Pierrot, 1895

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Arry and Arriet, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

Arry and Arriet, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
Arry and Arriet, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: A Coster Woman, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

A Coster Woman, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
A Coster Woman, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: A Drinking Bar, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

A Drinking Bar, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
A Drinking Bar, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Two Gentlemen with Walking Sticks, 1893. Creator: Philip William May

Two Gentlemen with Walking Sticks, 1893. Creator: Philip William May
Two Gentlemen with Walking Sticks, 1893

Background imagePhilip May Collection: London Female Character, 1896. Creator: Philip William May

London Female Character, 1896. Creator: Philip William May
London Female Character, 1896

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Sketch in the Midway Plaisance, 1893. Creator: Philip William May

Sketch in the Midway Plaisance, 1893. Creator: Philip William May
Sketch in the Midway Plaisance, 1893

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Nobleman, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

Nobleman, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
Nobleman, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: An April Fool, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

An April Fool, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
An April Fool, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: What Made You Take Up Art as a Profession?, 1894. Creator: Philip William May

What Made You Take Up Art as a Profession?, 1894. Creator: Philip William May
What Made You Take Up Art as a Profession?, 1894

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Rest for the Weary, 1902. Creator: Philip William May

Rest for the Weary, 1902. Creator: Philip William May
Rest for the Weary, 1902

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Blind Beggar and Dog, 1894. Creator: Philip William May

Blind Beggar and Dog, 1894. Creator: Philip William May
Blind Beggar and Dog, 1894

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Study for Cover, 1892. Creator: Philip William May

Study for Cover, 1892. Creator: Philip William May
Study for Cover, 1892

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Theatre Toyal Drury Lane Programme, 1900. Creator: Philip William May

Theatre Toyal Drury Lane Programme, 1900. Creator: Philip William May
Theatre Toyal Drury Lane Programme, 1900

Background imagePhilip May Collection: I say-Youngster, 1900. Creator: Philip William May

I say-Youngster, 1900. Creator: Philip William May
I say-Youngster, 1900

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Man and Woman Sitting on Wharf, 1898. Creator: Philip William May

Man and Woman Sitting on Wharf, 1898. Creator: Philip William May
Man and Woman Sitting on Wharf, 1898

Background imagePhilip May Collection: At a County Fair, 1898. Creator: Philip William May

At a County Fair, 1898. Creator: Philip William May
At a County Fair, 1898

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Ah! Would You?, 1892. Creator: Philip William May

Ah! Would You?, 1892. Creator: Philip William May
Ah! Would You?, 1892

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Humorous Scene of London Life in the East End, 1889. Creator: Philip William May

Humorous Scene of London Life in the East End, 1889. Creator: Philip William May
Humorous Scene of London Life in the East End, 1889

Background imagePhilip May Collection: A Day with the Medicine Man, n. d. Creator: Philip William May

A Day with the Medicine Man, n. d. Creator: Philip William May
A Day with the Medicine Man, n.d

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Phil May (b / w photo)

Phil May (b / w photo)
3103919 Phil May (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Phil May. Postcard, early 20th century.); Look and Learn / Valerie Jackson Harris Collection

Background imagePhilip May Collection: A Swell, c1896, (1897). Artist: Philip William May

A Swell, c1896, (1897). Artist: Philip William May
A Swell, c1896, (1897). From The Studio Volume 9. [London Offices of the Studio, London, 1897]

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Launce and his Dog, 1903, (1903). Artist: Philip William May

Launce and his Dog, 1903, (1903). Artist: Philip William May
Launce and his Dog, 1903, (1903). A scene from Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare. From The Pall Mall Magazine Volume XXXI, edited by George R. Halkett

Background imagePhilip May Collection: The Fortune-Teller, 1903, (1903). Artist: Philip William May

The Fortune-Teller, 1903, (1903). Artist: Philip William May
The Fortune-Teller, 1903, (1903). From The Pall Mall Magazine Volume XXXI, edited by George R. Halkett. [Editorial and Publishing Offices, London, 1903]

Background imagePhilip May Collection: The Intruder, c1899, (1903). Artist: Philip William May

The Intruder, c1899, (1903). Artist: Philip William May
The Intruder, c1899, (1903). From The Pall Mall Magazine Volume XXXI, edited by George R. Halkett. [Editorial and Publishing Offices, London, 1903]

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Rustum and the Simoorg, c1897. Artist: Philip William May

Rustum and the Simoorg, c1897. Artist: Philip William May
Rustum and the Simoorg, c1897. From Modern Pen Drawings: European and American, Edited by Charles Holme. [The Offices of the Studio, London, Paris, New York, 1900-01]

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Give Us a Bite, c1900. Artist: Philip William May

Give Us a Bite, c1900. Artist: Philip William May
Give Us a Bite, c1900. From Modern Pen Drawings: European and American, Edited by Charles Holme. [The Offices of the Studio, London, Paris, New York, 1900-01]

Background imagePhilip May Collection: Lead pencil sketch by Phil May, c19th century (1903-1904). Artist: Philip William May

Lead pencil sketch by Phil May, c19th century (1903-1904). Artist: Philip William May
Lead pencil sketch by Phil May, c19th century (1903-1904).From The Studio Volume 30. [The Offices of the Studio Ltd. London, 1903-1904]

Background imagePhilip May Collection: A Self Portrait of Phil May, 1896, (1903). Artist: Philip William May

A Self Portrait of Phil May, 1896, (1903). Artist: Philip William May
A Self Portrait of Phil May, 1896. After a Self Portrait of Phil May (1864-1903), created as a gift for his friend the artist Sir Frank William Brangwyn (1867-1956)




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Philip William May was a renowned artist known for his exceptional sketches and portraits. His talent captured the essence of various subjects, from everyday people to famous personalities. In Sketch in Picardy, 1895, May's intricate strokes bring life to the picturesque landscape of France. He also immortalized iconic figures like Oscar Wilde and Whistler in his 1894 masterpiece, showcasing their distinctive features with remarkable precision. May's ability to capture human emotions is evident in Portrait of a Young Lady, where he portrays her innocence and beauty effortlessly. However, he doesn't shy away from depicting darker aspects of society either. Three Card Trick, Epsom reveals the deceptive nature of gambling while Drunken Man highlights the consequences of excessive drinking. The Man in the Street captures ordinary individuals going about their daily lives—a testament to May's keen observation skills. The Modern Troubadour showcases his versatility as an artist by capturing a street performer entertaining passersby with his music. May also delves into cultural themes such as British seamen on shore leave or Shawled London Character—pieces that offer glimpses into different facets of society during that era. His portraiture skills shine through in works like Portrait of a Woman with Black Hat and Profile of a Woman; both pieces exude elegance and sophistication. In I Wonder What Caroline ll Say, May invites viewers to ponder upon the subject's thoughts—an invitation into her world filled with curiosity and intrigue. Philip William May's artistry transcends time as each piece continues to captivate audiences today. Through his meticulous attention to detail and ability to evoke emotion through brushstrokes alone, he has left an indelible mark on the art world—a legacy that will be cherished for generations to come.