From a window on Quai d'Orleans

Showing the view from the window of James Gunn's apartment at 18 Quai d'Orleans, the present work relates to a portrait from 1937 depicting the artist's second wife, Pauline. In the portrait Pauline, wearing an elegant off-the-shoulder black taffeta dress, sits before the window, her glamorous figure contrasting with the bare winter trees and the grey brick of the Pont de la Tournelle seen beyond. It is probable that Gunn painted this work at a later date for the unknown Maureen of the dedication on the reverse, who must have expressed admiration for the handsome portrait of Pauline.

We are grateful to the artist's daughter, Chloe Gunn Blackburn, for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.