EDWARD SEAGO, R.W.S. | The John Biscoe at Base 'O'

Sale: Christie's, London, 6 November 1992, lot 144
Purchased at the above sale by the father of the present owner; thence by descent

London, Portland Gallery, Edward Seago, 2014, no. 71 (NFS)

J. Russell, Edward Seago, Lund Humphries, 2014, no. 183, p.160, illustrated

The board appears to be sound and the work in very good overall condition. May benefit from a light surface clean. Ultraviolet light reveals an uneven varnish and while somne areas fluoresce, these do not appear to be restoration retouchings. Held in a gilt wood 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."

Edward Seago had the opportunity to visit Antarctica in 1957 upon the invitation of his friend the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip felt the artist might be stimulated by such a unique topography and with no artist having painted the land mass since Edward Wilson (1872-1912) aboard Captain Scott's ill-fated 1912 expedition, Seago responded enthusiastically to the challenge. The body of work produced reveals the artist's talent, superbly evoking the 'other-worldliness' of the floating icebergs, the wide seas, cold air and distinct light of Antarctica. Seago travelled with Prince Philip aboard HMY Britannia, crossing the Antarctic Circle on 1 January 1957. The present painting depicts The John Biscoe, which the Royal Party transferred to in order to visit the most southerly of the FIDS (Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey, renamed British Antarctic Survey in 1962) research bases on the Antarctic Peninsula. Since HMY Britannia was not ice strengthened she was unable to enter the pack ice herself. The John Biscoe was named after the early nineteenth-century English mariner and explorer who commanded the first expedition known to have sighted the areas named Enderby Land and Graham Land along the coast of Antarctica.

In such works as the present, Seago proved himself more than able to meet the challenges of evoking the particular atmosphere of distant Antarctica - far removed from the rural British countryside for which is best known - and they are a testament to his highly accomplished artistic sensibilities.