Arthur Melville, A.R.S.A., R.S.W. A.R.S.

Mrs Nelson;
Fine Art Society, Edinburgh, where purchased by the father of the present owners

Edinburgh, Royal Scottish Academy, 1898, no.688;
London, Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour, Exhibition of Collected Works of Arthur Melville, R.W.S., 1906, no.69;
Glasgow, Glasgow Institute of Fine Art, 1907, no.119;
Edinburgh, Fine Art Society, Art in Scotland 1800-1920, 1980

Agnes E. Mackay, Arthur Melville, Scottish Impressionist, 1855-1904, 1951, pp.108, 145, no.303;
Iain Gale, Arthur Melville, Edinburgh, 1996, illustrated p.83, plate.71

The sheet appears to be sound. One or two minor isolated spots of foxing along lower edge. Slightly discoloured. A fleck of paint loss to the yellow spot of gouache above harbour wall to the right of the right hand sail. Overall the work appears in good condition. Held under glass in an impressive gilt frame; unexamined out of frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

'...the Spanish watercolours reach a synthesis of expression hitherto unattempted... no pictures have ever been more expressive of light.' (quoted in Arthur Melville, Adventures in Colour, exhibition catalogue for the National Galleries of Scotland, 2015, p.97)

Melville loved the glimmering white sunlight of Spain, refracted from water, white-washed walls and red-tiled roofs. He visited Spain throughout his career, one early trip made in 1892 in the company of the artist Frank Brangwyn who described the coastal port of Pasajes (Passages) as; 'a narrow inlet from the sea, widening to a large bay, with the deepest and bluest of water, surrounded with picturesque stone-built houses... tenanted by fishermen.' (op.cit. p.96) Melville returned to Spain several times and the present watercolour was made in 1897 and exhibited the following year at the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour. Melville painted at least five oils at Pasajes and several beautiful watercolours, including Orange Market, Puerta de los Pasajes (Fleming-Wyfold Foundation), The Sapphire Sea (private collection) and Port of Passages (Glasgow Museums) all from the 1892 trip. In the 1890s Melville was at the peak of his artistic talent and a master of watercolour painting, adopting a wonderfully energetic use of the medium which is almost Impressionistic in its description of forms and mood. Sadly, Melville's love of Spain led to his early death in 1904 when he contracted a double dose of typhoid while on an extended visit with his wife, with whom he was keen to share the sights that inspired him.