This lot will be removed to an off-site warehouse … Read more

STUDIO STYLE The artist's studio is a space of great mystique and allure to the outsider. It is a highly personal and creative space, where the very raw activity of the artist's processes, imagination, explorations and instinct are unrestricted behind closed doors. The artist's easel is one of the most tangible and iconic elements of this environment, representing the essence of the studio. For Lucian Freud the artist's studio paved the foundations for his painting and activity, where the 'model is observed in the closed world of the studio; the painter's laboratory' (See press release 'Lucian Freud; L'Atelier', Centre Pompidou, Paris, curated by Christophe Ecoffet, March - July 2010) This easel (lot 451) is said by the present owner, Raymond Jones to have been gifted to him by Freud in 1984. Mr Jones was friend of Freud and sat for him on many occasions resulting in a number of significant portraits including 'Small head of Raymond' (1973-74 and 1981), 'Naked Man with Rat' (1977-78) and 'Naked Man with His Friend' (1978-80). According to Mr Jones, these works were painted on the easel being offered along with 'Sleeping Uncle' (1950), 'Girl with a white Dog', (1950-51, Tate),' Interior in Paddington' (1951 Liverpool Art Gallery), 'John Minton' (1952 Royal College of Art), 'Waste Ground with Houses', (1970-71), 'The Painters Mother Resting' (1976), 'Night Portrait' (1977-78) and 'Rose' (1978-79). The easel is being sold along with a signed letter from Mr Jones explaining how the easel was given to him.

AN OAK ARTIST'S EASEL

BY JOHN B. SMITH, MID-20TH CENTURY

Details

AN OAK ARTIST'S EASEL
BY JOHN B. SMITH, MID-20TH CENTURY
With adjustable height mechanism and winder, metal label to the reverse 'JOHN B. SMITH 117 HAMPSTEAD RD. LONDON'
79 in. (200.5 cm.) high (unextended); 27½ in. (70 cm.) wide; 28 in. (71 cm.) deep

Provenance

Said by the present owner to be a gift by Lucian Freud (1922-2011), circa 1984

Special notice

This lot will be removed to an off-site warehouse at the close of business on the day of sale - 2 weeks free storage

Sale room notice

Please note the maulstick that is illustrated on this easel is lot 452.

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

This easel is apparently recorded in the photograph by Cecil Beaton taken of Freud painting the portrait of Ann, Viscountess Rothermere, 1950, see Sarah Howgate Lucian Freud Portraits Catalogue, National Portrait Gallery, 2012, p. 227 fig. 53.
Accompanied by a signed letter by Raymond Jones explaining how the easel was given to him by Lucian Freud.

More from Christie's Interiors - Style & Spirit

View All