John Tunnard, A.R.A.

Alex. Reid & Lefevre Ltd, London, 29th August 1946
Private Collection
Gordon Hepworth Galleries, Devon, where acquired by the present owner, 27th August 1993

Durham, Univeristy of Durham, Grey College, John Tunnard, 29th September - 22nd October 2000, cat. no.12;
Poole, Study Gallery, Quiet Waters, 1th April - 10th June 2002, un-numbered exhibition;
Durham, University of Durham, Grey College, John Tunnard, His Life and Art from the 1920s to the 1970s, 3rd - 26th June 2011, cat. no.13, illustrated.

Alan Peat & Brian Whitton, John Tunnard, His Life and Work, Scolar Press, Aldershot, 1997, cat. no.388, illustrated fig.18.

The sheet is not laid down but is adhered to a support card via two hinge strips along the top edge. There is cockling to the sheet with an upper deckled edge that has been unevenly cut, most proably from a sketch book. There are pin holes apparent in all four corners with resultant traces of very minor tearing and loss, not visible in the present mount. There are traces of a previous support fixing to all four corners, only visible when viewed from the reverse. This excepting the work appears in excellent overall condition, with fresh, bold colours throughout. Housed behind glass in a thin dark wooden frame. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 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."

Tunnard was a coastguard during the war, with much of his time walking cliff paths on The Lizard in Cornwall looking out to sea for possible enemy activity. Obtuse Trajectory was completed shortly after the allied forces D-Day landings on Normandy.  Many of his paintings during this period give the impression of looking into the very far distance and show the faint, but distinct, curved horizon visible in this case.

We are grateful to Brian Whitton for his kind assistance with the cataloguing of the present work.