Walter Richard Sickert, A.R.A

Arthur Crossland

Bradford, Corporation Art Gallery, Jubilee exhibition, 1930, no.471
Special Exhibition of Modern Paintings and Drawings, 1939

There is a spot of staining towards the lower right side of the work and a dark mark on the right side of the figure. The surface of the painting is dirty and would benefit from a clean. There is a small hole towards the lower left side of the piece. The work has been squared for transfer. Under glass and held in a gilt wooden frame. Unexamined out of its 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 present work relates to the two-figure painting, catalogued as Two Ladies in an Interior, offered (from the Carew-Shaw Bequest) at Christie's on 8 June this year (lot 44). Wendy Baron suggested that this work was possibly a study of Nan Hudson and Ethel Sands, probably in the Granby Street studio, circa 1914 (private correspondance, April 2007) although in the present composition we do not know which of the two is depicted.

Wendy Baron dates this work to 1914 when Sickert was especially interested in the potential of two-colour tonal underpaintings (private correspondance, September 2007)

We are grateful to Dr. Wendy Baron for her kind assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.