Sir Matthew Smith

Arthur Tooth & Sons, London, where acquired by Commander G. L. Lewis, 5th November 1936
Richard Hawksworth Horton-Fawkes, Otley, Yorkshire
Sale, Christie's London, 4th March 1983, lot 61
Austin/Desmond Fine Art, London, where acquired by the present owners, July 1983

London, Arthur Tooth & Sons, Matthew Smith: Exhibition of Recent Paintings, 1936, cat. no.4.

John Gledhill, Catalogue Raisonné of the Oil Paintings of Matthew Smith, Lund Humphries, Farnham, 2009, cat. no.414, illustrated p.173.

Original canvas. The canvas appears sound. There are one or two spots of minor frame abrasion at the corners of the work, to the green pigment in the bottom right corner and to the upper right vertical edge. There are one or two very fine lines of reticulation and craquelure to the dark pigments at the centre of the work, and one further tiny spot of reticulation to the green pigment in the lower right corner. There is some light surface dirt across the work. Subject to the above, the work appears to be in very good overall condition. Ultraviolet light reveals scattered fluorescence to areas across the canvas, some of which appears to be retouching. The work is housed in a gilt frame. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."