Duncan Grant

Listed in Vanessa Bell's inventory of works at Charleston, 1950
The Estate of Duncan Grant

The canvas appears to be in good overall condition. There are scattered lines of slight craquelure in places in all four quadrants, but particularly on the upper and right areas of the sitter's head. Examination under ultra-violet light reveals a few scattered lines of retouching in the upper right quadrant. Held in a simple rectilinear 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."

Painted in the late 1920s, probably at La Bergère, Cassis, where Angus Davidson was a guest of Vanessa Bell's in 1928. Great friends with Bell and Duncan Grant, Davidson worked for the Woolfs' Hogarth Press and was secretary of the London Artists' Association. Both artists painted him on several occasions and Grant provided decorations for his flat in Heathcote Street, circa 1924.

We are grateful to Richard Shone for his kind assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.