Spencer Frederick Gore

Collection of Hugh Blaker
Earl of Sandwich
Sale, Sotheby's, London, 3 April 1963, lot 16, whence purchased on behalf of the present owner
 

London, Arts Council, Loan Exhibition, 1955, no.42.

The canvas has been lined. There are a few tiny scattered spots of craquelure but otherwise the paint surface is in good overall condition. There is no sign of retouching under ultra-violet light. Held in gilded composition frame. Please telephone the department on 020 7293 5381 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."

Exhibited simply as Richmond in the 1955 Arts Council exhibition, the present painting does not offer us any clues to identifying a specific location, rather it gives us a wonderfully anonymous and deliberately suburban image. Gore had moved to Cambrian Road in Richmond in the autumn of 1913 and remained there until his death the following spring and the paintings that he produced during this period do seem to show a return to a more naturalistic handling after the Letchworth paintings of the previous year.

Deliberately using the tree at the centre of the composition to mask the houses beyond, we see tantalising glimpses of the sunlit backs of a row of buildings through the gaps in the leaves. Everything in the image suggests the quiet of a residential street during the day, but equally there is a suggestion of reserve. The green-painted gate in the wall remains closed, the reflection of sun on the windows makes them mirror-like and the tree breaks up every direct view.

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