Sir John Lavery, R.A., R.S.A., R.H.A.

C. W. Kraushaar by whom donated to the Toledo Museum of Art;
Their sale, Sotheby's London, 16 May 2003, lot 55, where purchased by the present owner

Possibly London, Leicester Galleries, Cabinet Pictures by John Lavery, 1904, no.38 (as Tetuan, Moonrise)

The Toledo Museum of Art: European Paintings, 1976, p.92, illustrated pl.341

STRUCTURE Original canvas. Some minor peripheral frame rubbing. In overall good, original condition with no signs of damage or restoration. FRAME Probably within it's original gilt reeded 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."

Although clearly titled and dated ‘1911’, Lavery’s inscriptions are notoriously unreliable. In view of the rising tensions in Morocco, it is improbable that he visited Tétuan - an eight hour horse ride from his base in Tangier – in that year. More likely however are earlier documented trips during the winter of 1903-4 and the spring of 1906, before his marriage to Hazel Trudeau. On one of these occasions, the port, clothed in moonlight, took on an air of mystery which appealed to Lavery’s acute sensitivity to colour and tone.
We are grateful to Kenneth McConkey for his kind assistance with the cataloguing of the present work.