Felix Kelly

The board appears to be sound and stable. There is some surface dirt to the work. This excepting the work is in overall very good condition. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals one very small possible instance of retouching at the lower edge. The work is held in a simple moulded wooden frame. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present lot.
"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."

Felix Kelly was born in New Zealand, moving to London in 1935, where he worked as a graphic artist for an advertising agency, before enlisting in the RAF during the Second World War. He began painting seriously whilst in the RAF, and the Lefevre gallery gave him his first solo show in 1943, with further success to follow over the coming years, with a number of commissions, as well as stage designs and book illustrations. Kelly also had a number of exhibitions at the Leicester Galleries in London in the years preceding the present work, and it is possible Vivien first encountered his work there, before commissioning this painting of Durham Cottage.