Gillian John, kneeling

Details

Sir Gerald Festus Kelly, K.C.V.O, P.R.A., R.H.A. (1879-1972)
Gillian John, kneeling
oil on canvas
20 ¾ x 16 ¼ in. (52.7 x 41.3 cm.)

Exhibited

Bournemouth, The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, 1960.
London, The Royal Society of Artists, 1961, no. 65 [?].

Special notice

Artist's Resale Right ("Droit de Suite"). Artist's Resale Right Regulations 2006 apply to this lot, the buyer agrees to pay us an amount equal to the resale royalty provided for in those Regulations, and we undertake to the buyer to pay such amount to the artist's collection agent. Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s by 5.00 pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Cadogan Tate. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Cadogan Tate Ltd. All collections will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Lot Essay

During the 1930s, Kelly painted a series of portraits of Gillian John, the model believed to have been his mistress. The present work appears to be a variant of Golly II, which shows a more self-assured Gillian in a similar pose but with her chin raised and her head tilting slightly back and with the hand in the foreground pressed to her hip rather than resting on the floor.

More from Victorian, Pre-Raphaelite & British Impressionist Art, Maritime Art, Sporting & Wildlife Art

View All