SIR MATTHEW SMITH | Flowers in a Jug

Arthur Tooth & Sons, London, where acquired by Sir Kenneth Clark, 1935
Roland, Browse & Delbanco, London
Mrs Ann Todd
Sale, Christie's London, 9th December 1966, lot 79
Sale, Christie's London, 12th July 1974, lot 300
Sale, Sotheby's London, 23rd May 1984, lot 186
Sale, Christie's South Kensington, 12th December 2014, lot 66, where acquired by the present owner

London, Royal Academy, Sir Matthew Smith, October - December 1960, cat. no.106.

John Gledhill, Mathew Smith: Catalogue Raisonné of the Oil Paintings, Lund Humphries, Farnham, 2009, cat. no.226, illustrated p.121.  

The canvas is re-lined. There is light frame abrasion to the edges in places. There are scattered fine lines of craquelure to the canvas, visible upon close inspection, with one isolated instance of possible lifting in areas of impasto paint including towards the lower left corner. There are fine lines of reticulation to the green pigment in the flowers in places. There are one or two probable flattened impasto tips. There is light surface dirt and instances of studio matter and surface detritus in places. This excepting the work appears in very good overall condition. Inspection under ultraviolet light is rendered difficult by the thick layer of varnish but there is fluorescence and retouching to the work in a few places, including to the aforementioned historic frame abrasions with a small number of further instances elsewhere including to the upper right corner, in the upper left quadrant and below the centre of the vase. These have been sensitively executed. The work is held within a painted 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."