JOHN BRETT, A.R.A. | Cockle Fishers at Gravelines

The artist’s studio sale, Christie’s, London, 15 February 1902, lot 62, where bought by ‘McLean’;
Rev. W. Waite;
Christie’s, 23 January 1904, lot 124, bought by ‘Collings’;
Bonhams, London, 6 August 1964, lot 103;
G. Welby-Everard;
Knight, Frank & Rutley, London, 29 June 1967, lot 16;
Sotheby’s, London, 29 May 1968, lot 153;
Norman Bragg;
Maas Gallery, London where purchased by Lord Dayton and thence to his niece in 2003

Christiana Payne and Charles Brett, John Brett – Pre-Raphaelite Landscape Painter, 2010, p.175, p.240, cat.no.1461, illustrated p.175

The canvas is unlined and in very good condition. There is a faint craquelure pattern but the paint surface appears stable. The picture is clean and ready to hang. UNDER ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT There are a few very minor retouchings to the extreme edges where the rebate of the frame has rubbed the paint surface. FRAME The picture is contained in a simple 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."

In 1896 John Brett and his wife Mary went to Paris, the first time the artist had been abroad since 1870. After attending the Salon in Paris where one of John Brett’s paintings was exhibited, the Bretts travelled along the Normandy coast but little of interest inspired him. However one painting from this holiday is this delightful scene painted on the beach at Gravelines, which is unusual for depicting so many lively figures catching shrimps and gathering cockles. As has been noted; ‘The deep purple of the sky contrasts effectively with the pale sand, where the reflections in the sandpools are freely and fluently painted. This sketch, and some other works surviving from this year, show that Brett was experimenting with a modified form of Impressionism in his last years…’ (Christiana Payne and Charles Brett, John Brett – Pre-Raphaelite Landscape Painter, 2010, p.175)