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Lot Essay
Portrait of Margaret Morris depicts Fergusson's wife who he first met in Paris in 1913. She was a pioneer of the modern dance style made popular by Isadora Duncan, and was the inspiration for a number of portraits by Fergusson, including Margaret Morris dans Le Chant Hindu, 1918.
Captain John Ernest Crawford Flitch (1881-1946) acquired Portrait of Margaret Morris directly from Fergusson, and it has remained in his family until now. During the First World War, Flitch served in the 37th Division of the British Expeditionary Force, writing regularly to his friend Fergusson. On the reverse of Portrait of Margaret Morris, Fergusson wrote Flitch's wartime address, where he appears to have sent the painting. This extraordinary fact demonstrates the closeness of their relationship and how, at such a time, Flitch sought refuge and relief in his friend's paintings.
In 1918, Flitch published The Great War: Fourth Year by C.R.W. Nevinson. He was also the author of A Little Journey in Spain: Notes of a Goya Pilgrimage, 1914, and Modern Dancing and Dancers, 1912.
Also from Flitch's collection is Fleurs (see lot 180), as well as Fergusson's 1916 painting Summer (see lot 1 in the Modern British & Irish Art Evening Sale, 26 June 2017) and Portrait of Edie McNeill by Henry Lamb (see lot 2 in the Modern British & Irish Art Evening Sale, 26 June 2017).
Captain John Ernest Crawford Flitch (1881-1946) acquired Portrait of Margaret Morris directly from Fergusson, and it has remained in his family until now. During the First World War, Flitch served in the 37th Division of the British Expeditionary Force, writing regularly to his friend Fergusson. On the reverse of Portrait of Margaret Morris, Fergusson wrote Flitch's wartime address, where he appears to have sent the painting. This extraordinary fact demonstrates the closeness of their relationship and how, at such a time, Flitch sought refuge and relief in his friend's paintings.
In 1918, Flitch published The Great War: Fourth Year by C.R.W. Nevinson. He was also the author of A Little Journey in Spain: Notes of a Goya Pilgrimage, 1914, and Modern Dancing and Dancers, 1912.
Also from Flitch's collection is Fleurs (see lot 180), as well as Fergusson's 1916 painting Summer (see lot 1 in the Modern British & Irish Art Evening Sale, 26 June 2017) and Portrait of Edie McNeill by Henry Lamb (see lot 2 in the Modern British & Irish Art Evening Sale, 26 June 2017).