Basil Blackshaw, H.R.H.A

Tom Caldwell Gallery, Belfast

The board appears to be sound. There are a few small holes in the board which are original to the time of painting; these are located by the centre of the right edge and lower edges and lower right corner. Small area of lifting paint near upper right edge and a few surface abrasions near the upper left corner. An area of exposed board in lower right corner where paint has flaked off. Overall these are not visually distracting and the work appears in good overall condition. Under ultraviolet light there appear to be no signs of retouching. Held under glass in a wooden frame; unexamined out of frame.
"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."

In Black Mountain one sees the key influence Cézanne had in Blackshaw's career. Here Black Mountain, its curve visible in the upper right, is distilled through fragmented planes of colour and brushwork. This analytical approach recalls Cézanne's Provencal landscapes from the 1900s with their emphasis on form and structure, which Blackshaw turned to as a source for his development.