Sacred and Profane love; and Baccanale

Details

John Armstrong, A.R.A. (1893-1973)
Sacred and Profane love; and Baccanale
the first signed 'J.R. Armstrong' (lower right) the second signed with initials (lower right)
watercolour
14 x 19½ in. (35.5 x 49.6 cm.); 13¾ x 19½ in. (34.9 x 49.6 cm.)
two in the lot (2)

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Lot Essay

The first of the two works belongs to the very earliest known phase of Armstong's career, probably dating from circa 1920-24, when Armstrong was signing his work 'J R Armstrong', the R standing for Rutherford. The treatment of the cliffs is an early indication of the characteristicly stylised, sculptured technique that we see clearly definded by 1925, and illustrated in the following lot, the Pan triptych.

The second part, also a very early work dating from the late 1920s appears to be unfinished and is probably a study for a mythological subject.

We are grateful to Jonathan Gibbs for his assistance in cataloguing of this lot.

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