Ivon Hitchens

Waddington Galleries, London, where acquired by a Private Collection, Hong Kong, 1968
Sale, Sotheby's London, 28th June 2006, lot 45, where acquired by the present owner

Not viewed out of the frame. Oil on original canvas. There is a slight undulation to the canvas at the upper left corner, and a small hole in the canvas at each of the lower corners, but otherwise the canvas appears sound. There are light abrasions and very slight discolouring around the edges of the work, most likely from a previous frame, apparent at the two vertical edges and the lower horizontal edge. There is some cracking to the surface of the work, most apparent towards the centre of the composition, with some slight lifting, and around the edges of the canvas. There are also some extremely small flecks of paint loss across the work, apparent upon very close inspection, most apparent towards the upper left horizontal edge. There is some light surface dirt across the work, most apparent in the lower right quadrant and along the upper stretcher edge at the top left corner, as well as some very light studio detritus across the work. Subject to the above, the work is in good overall condition, with fresh, bright passages of paint. Ultraviolet light reveals a small spot of fluorescence in the black pigment at the lower right corner, possibly indicative of minor retouching. The work is floated in a painted wooden frame, under glass. 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."

‘I paint life as I see it, hear it, feel it, smell it, and think it – but above all see it’

The Artist
(Hitchens in a letter to Alan Bowness on 26th January 1960)