Harold Harvey 1874-1941

STRUCTURE: The canvas is original. There are two patches to the reverse of the canvas. The structure is sound and secure. SURFACE: The paint surface is dirty with pinholes to all four corners. There are a few scattered spots of staining to the background, upper right and some further in the foreground. Also there is a small fleck of paint loss to the right of the seated woman's head. FRAME: Held in a modern painted composite frame with some marks and scratches. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT: UV light reveals retouching around the seated woman's head. Otherwise no sign of retouching,. COLOUR COMPARISON: The colour is slightly darker than the catalogue illustration suggests.
"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."

The present picture precedes another painting of the same title (private collection) painted in 1934, in which a woman stands knitting at a doorway whilst a young man plays an accordion. Both paintings have the same setting, of Mount's Bay seen from the porch of Harvey's home, Maen Cottage but in the present The Blue Door the creeper has grown over the door and the lilac tree has grown taller in the three years that have elapsed. Two young women take tea together and exchange gossip whilst a black cat looks out from the thresh-hold of the doorway. The same setting was also used for The Breakfast Table of 1938 (sold in these rooms, 5 March 2005, lot 32).