λ Tom Malone (British 1913-1986) Portrait of a girl, Jane Oil on canvas Signed (lower right), with later inscription (to stretcher verso) 51.5 x 41cm (20¼ x 16 in.) Provenance: Estate of the artist Thence by descent to the present owner Exhibited: Manchester, City Art Gallery, 1976 The present work was exhibited in the 118th Exhibition at the Manchester City Art Gallery in 1976, titled as Jane, with Arthur Delaney's The Aqueduct, Store Street. Tom Malone (1913-1986) was an accomplished portrait painter originally from Warrington. Despite being employed as Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures in Salford, he was always involved in the art scene of Manchester, being friends with artists L.S.Lowry and Ted Finley. He was often found painting on the weekends, his subjects ranging from his two sons, Nick and Peter, to local government officials such as the Warrington and Salford Mayors. His art style was influenced by the fauvist movement, which confers to his works a very painterly and textured quality, present even in the more traditional oil portraits. Malone was a member and chairman of the Salford Art Club, participating regularly in its annual exhibition along with artists Eric Satchwell, Jose Christoperson, Stella Platt and Richard Weisbrod. His portraits were shown at the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts' 93rd exhibition in 1952, as well as the 118th Exhibition at the Manchester City Art Gallery in 1976, with his contemporary Arthur Delaney. He continued to paint after retiring as Chief Inspector, holding several solo shows at Salford Art Gallery.