Peter Howson

Flowers East, London;
Private Collection

STRUCTURE Original canvas. There is a small repaired tear to the upper left quandrant towards the edge with a corresponding patch on the reverse. PAINT SURFACE There is a spot of discoloured varnish in the upper left quadrant but this is otherwise in good original condition. ULTRAVIOLET UV light reveals some minor retouching corresponding to the aforementioned restoration. FRAME Held in a simple wooden box 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."

As Robert Heller accurately states, "Bosnia was the scene for a filthy war, an ethnic struggle between Serbs and Muslims which the Western powers were trying, with enormous difficulty, to bring to an end." As during the Gulf War, the Imperial War Museum, with sponsorship from The Times, chose Peter Howson to be the official war artist, an extremely prestigious appointment. The Bosnian opportunity came at a particularly difficult time for Howson, both artistically and emotionally, and as he poignantly recalls, 'if I hadn't gone to Bosnia my career would have gone down the pan.' Howson was acutely aware of the dilemma or irony in war, in that it produces some great art – however whilst providing the artist with inspiration he vividly remembers this as 'one of the most traumatic periods of my life.'

The disturbing paintings depicting rape, torture and death which Howson created as a result of his Bosnian experiences are integral to the artist's development and constitute some of his most harrowing works. A number of paintings from this important period in Howson's career are held in public collections such as Tate Gallery (Plum Grove, 1994), City of Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums Collection (Serb and Muslim, 1994) and City of Nottingham Museums: Castle Museum and Art Gallery (Bosnian Harvest, 1994).