Beschreibung:

λ AUGUSTUS JOHN (BRITISH 1878-1961) PORTRAIT OF DAVID, THE PAINTER'S SON (1902-1972) Oil on canvas 71 x 56cm (27¾ x 22 in.) Painted circa 1920. Provenance: Simon Dickinson, London Purchased from the above by the present owner David was born in January 1902, the first child of Augustus and his first wife, Ida Nettleship. David's upbringing was complex and somewhat chaotic - he was brought up alongside his siblings as well as the children of Augustus and Dorelia, who had become the artist's lover and model in 1903. With the death of his mother from puerperal fever in Paris in 1907, matters were further complicated although his father clearly felt great affection for his son. Later in life, David became an oboist in the Sadler's Wells orchestra and also worked as a postman and furniture restorer. Whilst some of Augustus John's commissioned portraits can be quite formulaic, his more intimate depictions of family, friends and mistresses exude a freshness and spontaneity that reflects the affection felt by the artist towards his sitter. The present work is a prime example of that combination of energy and empathy. With its fluid post-impressionistic brush-strokes, the portrait of David demonstrates the confidence of the artist in working directly onto the canvas. A comparable painting of David, dating from the same period and seated at a desk, was exhibited at the Royal Academy retrospective in 1945 (no. 45) and sold at Sotheby's, London in November 2011 for £68,450 (including fees). Condition Report: Unlined and new stretcher providing support. In good original condition. Condition Report Disclaimer