S tep into a bustling Saturday morning at a London public pool through the eyes of Leon Kossoff. Every splash, every ripple, every glint of sunlight is captured with a painterly precision that transforms ordinary summer leisure into a living, breathing tableau. With over forty figures animated across the canvas, this is more than a painting—it’s an experience of energy, rhythm, and human presence.
Kossoff’s Children’s Swimming Pool, 11 o’clock Saturday Morning, August marks a turning point in his career, shifting from somber cityscapes to scenes of vibrant everyday life. The water itself becomes a medium, refracting light and movement, while brushstrokes echo the motion of the swimmers. The scene may appear simple, yet its complexity invites repeated exploration—revealing subtleties in color, form, and emotion that continue to captivate collectors, art lovers, and cultural enthusiasts alike. This bustling scene is one of the works on offer in Masterpieces from The Lewis Collection as part of the Modern & Contemporary Evening Auction taking place at Sotheby’s London on 4 March.
