"To Love Or Not To Love" by William Oxer B.A. Hons. F.R.S.A

£2,500.00

 

A rare opportunity to acquire an incredible original William Oxer F.R.S.A painting    "To Love Or Not To Love"

 

 

 "To Love Or Not To Love" by William Oxer B.A Hons. F.R.S.A

 

 Timeless Beauty!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In ‘To Love or Not to Love’, William Oxer presents a restrained yet incisive study of human vulnerability and contemplation. The subject, depicted in muted tones, turns away from the viewer, her gaze lowered in quiet introspection. The composition avoids overt narrative, instead allowing the sitter’s expression, posture, and the subdued palette to evoke the uncertainty and ambivalence suggested by the title. This painting sits within Oxer’s broader exploration of timeless portraiture, where classical technique is employed not to idealise, but to observe with clarity the subtleties of emotional states.

 

 

 

 "William Oxer is not merely a painter; he is a distinctive sensibility, with a poetic vision he explores in many media. His art is affirmative, evocative and forgiving. His work offers us, in short, a return to the true and serious tradition." 

Professor Roger Scruton F.B.A  F.R.S.L (Cambridge)

 

 

William's paintings just featured in an 8 page spread in "Inside Artists" magazine!!! see below

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 William has been painting professionally for over 25 years, undertaking regular portrait commissions for private clients and producing artworks for art gallery exhibitions. 

 

William’s previous engagements include creating large-scale painted designs for interior projects in historic houses such as Buckingham Palace, Goodwood House,  Petworth House and Hatchlands Park!!! His skills have enabled him to undertake many varied projects including period decoration and exhibition design in such places as Christies, St James (William Beckford Exhibition) and the Building of Bath Museum.

William’s style can be immediately recognised as romantic and traditional, however it increasingly carries hidden meaning and complex allusions to mythology, philosophy, or classical and religious iconography. His paintings employ subtle allusions and themes such as ‘perfect love’ and the notion of passion as expressed in tales such as Troilus and Cressida and Romeo and Juliet. 



At Hatchlands Park in Surrey, William worked with Alec Cobbe, restorer and interiors expert. ‘The experience was something that defined how I wished to work,’ he says. ‘Living in a country house amongst historic keyboard instruments, producing hand-painted schemes for some of England’s finest houses and surrounded by hundreds of beautiful paintings allowed me to think upon my own work, quietly and studiously, in an environment that promoted beauty and rigorous thought.’

 

"William Oxer is not merely a painter; he is a distinctive sensibility, with a poetic vision he explores in many media. His art is affirmative, evocative and forgiving..'. He states that the work 'offers us, in short, a return to the true and serious tradition." Professor Roger Scruton

 

 

Campion Hall, Oxford University Commission February 29, 2024 Unveiling of the Conversation Piece commission at Oxford University. I was invited for House Supper and drinks to celebrate the unveiling of this 'Conversation Piece' artwork I painted and to make a speech. This artwork was commissioned by the Jesuits at Campion Hall, Oxford University, to commemorate the first five female dons to be elected to the College. My next projects were discussed and it was a pleasure to chat with historian Diarmaid MacCulloch and also Revd Dr Nick Austin

 

 

 

"William Oxer's paintings represent a strikingly fresh current in contemporary art. His work is experimental, and he is also willing to take on larger themes as well as demonstrating a delight in detail and minutiae. Very few contemporary artists paint so consistently well." Dr David Morley, University of Warwick

 

 

 

 

 

 William Oxer in Country Life Magazine

 

 

 

 

William Oxer “I paint unseen vibrations of the soul”

 

“I see painting as not merely a depiction of form or likeness—it is the revelation of presence. I do not set out to describe the external world, but to listen for the silent language within it. Every canvas is an invitation to contemplate, not just to look. What interests me most is the inner life—the echo of a thought not spoken, a grief unshared, a hope held quietly in the soul.'“ William Oxer – Artist Biography William Oxer B.A. F.R.S.A. is a British artist whose paintings resonate with poetic intensity, spiritual depth, and a timeless commitment to beauty. Working primarily in oils, Oxer’s art draws on the influence of the Romantic, Symbolist, and Pre-Raphaelite traditions, yet remains deeply personal and contemporary in its emotional force. His works are suffused with symbolism, myth, and a sense of the eternal—a quiet but insistent rebellion against the fleeting and superficial. From an early age, William painted with an instinctive drive toward expressing the ineffable. His passion for art ran parallel to his academic interests, and he graduated with Honours in English from the University of Warwick. Shortly after, he was offered a place at the then Prince of Wales’ Institute of Architecture. However, on the recommendation of the Institute, he instead accepted a formative position with Alec Cobbe—artist, restorer, and custodian of the renowned Cobbe Collection. Living at Hatchlands Park in Surrey, the home of the Collection, William worked on a diverse array of high-level projects. These included interior design for the Walker Art Gallery, sourcing artwork and antiques for private clients at Christie’s and Sotheby’s, and contributing to an exhibition for The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace. He was also involved in large-scale heritage interior design for stately homes such as Goodwood House, Petworth House, and Wilton, and consulted on period decoration for historic residences including Cathedral Close in Salisbury. Simultaneously, he worked in museum and exhibition design, most notably producing the atmospheric backdrop and stage for the William Beckford Exhibition at Christie’s, St James’s, London, and contributing to the development of the Museum of Bath Architecture, facilitated by Jesca Verdon-Smith and Sophie Scruton. Despite the breadth of his early professional life, painting remained the constant and defining focus. His studio practice has always been central to his identity and over the years, his works have steadily gained acclaim from collectors, galleries, and institutions alike. A testament to this is Lost Jewel, one of his most celebrated paintings—an evocative meditation on longing and loss, rendered with a haunting quietude and luminous grace. Its symbolic richness and delicate execution have made it a favourite among collectors and critics. Oxer’s dedication to beauty and meaning in art also led him to work with charities, often donating pieces for auction. In May 2022, a commissioned artwork was auctioned at the Royal Versailles Ball at the Palace of Versailles, following a reception at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Paris—an event hosted amid some of the finest British and French decorative arts in Europe. His most recent London exhibition took place in Mayfair in December 2024, and his work continues to attract international interest. In recent years, his paintings have been displayed on gallery billboards across London, including Waterloo Station, and featured on a prime-time Italian arts and culture programme. He was also invited to put himself forward for Sky Arts' Portrait Artist of the Year programme for the 2025/6 season. In 2017, William was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), an honour awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts, manufacturing, and commerce. The late philosopher Sir Roger Scruton, a long-time admirer of Oxer’s work, once said: “William Oxer is not merely a painter; he is a distinctive sensibility, with a poetic vision he explores in many media. His art is affirmative, evocative and forgiving, and offers us, in short, a return to the true and serious tradition.” Today, William lives and works in a Georgian Old Rectory in the Cotswold hills with his partner, daughter, and five dogs. In the quiet of the countryside, working long hours, he continues to pursue his lifelong artistic calling: to create works that move the soul, honour our journeys, and offer glimpses of the eternal.

 

............. by the internationally acclaimed Artist William Oxer F.R.S.A!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Measurements; 20 in x 12 in

(50.8 cms x 30.4 cms)  

    

Rublev Oils on Canvas 

 

Framed

 

 Framed to Guild of Framers Commended Level.

 

 Example of Framing - "Herakles - Male Nude" by William Oxer (now sold)

 

 

 

Investment 

 " An Amazing Blue Chip Investment Opportunity to Acquire an Original William Oxer F.R.S.A Painting" ..

Invest in one of our paintings, rather than risky bank investments, where you can actually touch your investment. Take pleasure in looking at it and watch it appreciate in value over the years!! Remember we guarantee every painting sold is unique, original e.g only one of it's kind in the world!!!

 Scarcity alone guarantees the investment  !!!!

Asgard Arts offers works of art which will not only look fantastic in your home or offices (One Investment Bank in particular has purchased paintings from us for their offices see Bull paintings) but will also be a sound financial investment for the future.  Art has long been regarded as a strong and safe investment.  Investment in paintings was discussed recently on Bloomberg television as a sound investment as a hard asset like Gold, Platinum Silver etc. Also Ellen Kelleher a personal finance journalist for The Financial Times recently wrote an article recommending the purchase of Art, particularly in the $500 - $50,000 range as a sound long term investment with an impressive current average annual increase of 9.7 percent.  Go to Latest Art news on Asgard Arts and see Hang your investments on the wall by Ellen Kelleher Published October 22 2010 in the Financial Times.

 

 

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William Oxer F.R.S.A

 

William has been painting professionally for over 25 years, undertaking regular portrait commissions for private clients and producing artworks for art gallery exhibitions. He works mainly with acrylic paints on canvas.

William’s style can be immediately recognised as romantic and traditional, however it increasingly carries hidden meaning and complex allusions to mythology, philosophy, or classical and religious iconography. His paintings employ subtle allusions and themes such as ‘perfect love’ and the notion of passion as expressed in tales such as Troilus and Cressida and Romeo and Juliet. 

William’s previous engagements include creating large-scale painted designs for interior projects in historic houses such as Goodwood House, Buckingham Palace, Petworth House and Hatchlands Park. His skills have enabled him to undertake many varied projects including period decoration and exhibition design in such places as Christies, St James (William Beckford Exhibition) and the Building of Bath Museum.

At Hatchlands Park in Surrey, William worked with Alec Cobbe, restorer and interiors expert. ‘The experience was something that defined how I wished to work,’ he says. ‘Living in a country house amongst historic keyboard instruments, producing hand-painted schemes for some of England’s finest houses and surrounded by hundreds of beautiful paintings allowed me to think upon my own work, quietly and studiously, in an environment that promoted beauty and rigorous thought.’

"William Oxer is not merely a painter; he is a distinctive sensibility, with a poetic vision he explores in many media. His art is affirmative, evocative and forgiving..'. He states that the work 'offers us, in short, a return to the true and serious tradition." Professor Roger Scruton

"William Oxer's paintings represent a strikingly fresh current in contemporary art. His work is experimental, and he is also willing to take on larger themes as well as demonstrating a delight in detail and minutiae. Very few contemporary artists paint so consistently well." Dr David Morley, University of Warwick

 

 

 

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

Tetbury Art Gallery - Spencer House, Tetbury, Gloucestershire

 

PAST EXHIBITIONS

Buy Art Fair - Manchester

 Haddon Gallery - Torquay

Papillon - Edinburgh

The Museum - Farnham, Dorset

Shaftesbury Art Centre - Shaftesbury

The James Gallery - Budleigh Salterton

The Building of Bath Museum - Bath

Christies - St James', London

Trafalgar Park - Salisbury

Poole Library - Poole, Dorset

Serenata - Purbeck, Dorset

 

 

 

  

                                                                                                                          

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