Sir Oswald Birley: A Portraitist of Royalty and Remembrance Sir Oswald Hornby Joseph Birley (1880-1952) stands as a monumental figure in the annals of British portrait painting, revered for his prolific commissions from the royal family during the early 20th century—a period defined by grandeur, tradition, and profound artistic innovation. Born on March 31st, 1880, in New Zealand to Hugh Francis Birley—a man who would later lead troops at the Peterloo Massacre—Birley’s artistic journey commenced amidst a lineage steeped in military history and aristocratic privilege. His formative years at H…