Bethesda, St Ives

Pearce had an extraordinary visual memory; he could recall all the sights he witnessed in minute detail, sometimes years later. His unique style was not a matter of choice but instead came from the brain damage he suffered from the congenital disease phenylketonuria. As such he was unable to express any detailed understanding of spatial relationships as well as the effects of light and shade. His non-realistic manner and heightened pallete aimed to evoke the atmosphere of St Ives rather than produce an exact representation of his much loved home.

The painting is to be sold with a letter from Mary Pearce, discussing the sale of the painting.