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Property from the Erick Sommer Collection Over a period of more than 20 years, Erick Sommer (1921-2004) passionately sought out some of the best examples of 20th Century British Art, the result of which is a highly personal group of pictures and sculpture, which embraces the diversity and richness of this field. Sommer was drawn to collecting art later in his life. In acquiring his collection from select London galleries, he displayed enthusiasm for and understanding of, 20th Century British Art, not least in the varity of artists represented. From this collection, Christie's is delighted to be offering the following 5 lots.

Paul Nash (1889-1946)

The Swan

Details

Paul Nash (1889-1946)
The Swan
signed 'Paul Nash' (lower left)
oil on canvas
27 x 20 in. (68.5 x 51 cm.)
Painted in 1931.

Provenance

with Arthur Tooth & Sons, London, where purchased by Edward James. The Edward James Foundation.
Their sale; Sotheby's, London, 15 December 1971, lot 91, where purchased by James Kirkman.

Literature

Burlington, December 1971, illustrated.
A. Causey, Paul Nash, Oxford, 1980, p. 415, no. 703, pl. 501.

Exhibited

London, Tooths, Paul Nash, January 1932, no. 16.
Brighton, Art Gallery, Edward James Collection, 1960s; and tour.
Worthing, Art Gallery, Impressionism to Surrealism, 1970, no. 45.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Essay

Causey comments, 'The artist and Margaret Nash both dated it 1932, but the date of Tooth's exhibition, and the existence of a drawing dated 1931 (712) suggest that it is mainly at least a work of the previous year' (loc. cit).

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