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.

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. SOLD 2018 for $25,000.

Dame Ngaio Marsh in her Christchurch Home in Cashmere Hills, oil on canvas, 182cm x 137cm, signed Mitchell, 1956. Ryman Healthcare Collection. SOLD 2018 for $25,000.

Self Portrait in Green Jersey, oil on board, 52cm x 42cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1957. Mitchell Family 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Portrait of Nugent Welch, oil on canvas, 101cm x 82cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1957. Alexander Turnbull Library.

La Femme de L'Artiste, oil on board, 60cm 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.

Jim Gawn, Sculptor (Clay Head of Tina), oil on canvas, 100cm x 81cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1955. Mitchell Family collection.

Jim Gawn, Sculptor (Clay Head of Tina), oil on canvas, 100cm x 81cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1955. Mitchell Family collection.

Self Portrait in Holland Skyscape, oil on board, 61cm x 50cm, unsigned, c1960. 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.

Dame Laura Knight, oil on canvas, 90cm x 150cm, signed Leonard Victor Mitchell, 1970. Mitchell Family collection.

Dr Nikolai Malko (NZ Symphony Orchestra), oil on canvas, 96cm x 76cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1957. Mitchell Family collection.

Dr Nikolai Malko (NZ Symphony Orchestra), oil on canvas, 96cm x 76cm, signed Leonard Mitchell, 1957. Mitchell Family collection.

Please note that, while all efforts are made to represent artworks faithfully, nothing compares to seeing an artwork in the flesh.
Please contact us if you are interested in an artwork and we would be more than happy to provide further images or a viewing if you are in the Wellington region.