Sir William Nicholson

The Artist, and thence by descent to Marguerite Steen
Roland, Browse & Delbanco, London, 1951
Presented to D.W.A. Sommer, Esq., by the Staff of Alexr. Howden & Co. Ltd, on the occasion of his retirement, 31st December 1951
Acquired by the present owner in 2006

London, Roland, Browse & Delbanco, Paintings by Sir William Nicholson, 1945, cat. no.23 (as The Woodcutters);
London, Roland, Browse & Delbanco, Paintings by William Nicholson, 1948, cat. no.56 (as The Woodcutters);
London, Roland, Browse & Delbanco, William Nicholson: Joseph Herman, October - November 1951, cat. no.56 (as The Woodcutters).

Lillian Browse, William Nicholson, Rupert Hart-Davis, London, 1956, cat. no.570, p.121 (as Woodcutters);
Patricia Reed, William Nicholson: Catalogue Raisonné of the Oil Paintings, Modern Art Press, London, 2011, cat. no.840, illustrated p.625.

The original canvas board is slightly bowed. There are some small flecks of paint loss along the extreme lower edge of the work. There is a small diagonal scuffs to the canvas in the upper right quadrant and further scratches and workings to the canvas board which are in keeping with the Artist's working method. On close examination, it is possible to see some very minor craquleure in the black pigment at the lower left of the composition. Some of the highest areas of impasto appear to have been flattened. There is some surface matter at the centre left of the compistion and a varnish across the work. Subject to the above the painting appears to be in very good condition. Ultraviolet light reveals three small spots of fluorescence at the centre left of the composition and a further spot in the lower left quadrant. The work is held behind glass and presented in a white slip and ornate painted 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."