Peter Lanyon

The Estate of the Artist

Toby Treves, Peter Lanyon Catalogue Raisonné of the oil paintings and three-dimensional works, Modern Art Press, London, 2018, cat. no. 100, illustrated p. 120

Sheila Lanyon believed the present work was painted at the St Ives School of Painting but was unsure about the date. Peter Lanyon’s attendance records have since revealed that he attended the St Ives School of Painting only three times: twice in November 1938 and once in November 1939.

If it was painted in 1936 (as inscribed on the reverse) it may have been done at the Penzance School of Art where Lanyon attended for 18 months from September 1936. If the latter, Lanyon often attended with John Wells and they may have painted this same model together. The model has a passing resemblance of a young Leonard Fuller (artist, 1891-1973) without a moustache or glasses (as also noted on the reverse). Confirming the identity however has proved elusive thus far.

Martin Lanyon, 2022