Peter Lanyon

Sale, Christie's London, 22 October 1997, lot 19, whence purchased by the present owner

The sheet is sound with deckled edges and is attached to the mount with tabs in the corners and the centre of each edge. There are pinholes in the corners, the paper is slightly undulating and the tips of the upper corners are missing otherwise in good overall condition. Held in a stained wood frame under glass; unexamined out of frame. Please note that the green tones are brighter and more vibrant than the catalogue illustration suggests.
"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 present work relates to the construction of the same title (Private Collection) which is dated to 1963-4. As with many examples of Lanyon's use of titles to group works together, there is little obvious visual connection between the two, but if we consider, as posited by Margaret Garlake (Margaret Garlake, Peter Lanyon, Tate Publishing, London 1998, pp.65-66), that the construction is designed to highlight elements of contrast between danger and safety, then the present work could be seen to include suggestions of internal and external views from a glider. The central curved form is reminiscent of the screen seen from a cockpit, with what may therefore be dial forms below, and we would then have an image which simultaneously creates a position where the external rushing sky and clouds encircle the green target ahead, the field landing of the title.