Lot 27

In good stable condition, recently underwent professional restoration to three small vertical tears/splits in the canvas located along the left edge (two lower centre and one in the upper left corner) and two small holes located top left and top right, these were likely to have occurred as a result of brittleness in the very fine, open weave canvas, the painting also underwent cleaning to remove accumulation of surface grime, mildew, staining and accretions, light craquelure to areas of impasto paintwork.
(143 x 124cm framed)


The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek further information or request additional images during our pre-sale period where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice. Please note condition reports can be amended during the pre-sale period, so we strongly suggest any interested bidders check the published condition report available on the website before the auction commences. Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.

The Collection of Gisella Scheinberg (proprietor of Holdsworth Galleries, Sydney), 1997
Private collection, Sydney

In the mid-1950s when he began his Alice in Wonderland series, Charles Blackman, one of Australia's most loved artists began painting tender psychological portraits of his wife Barbara seated at a table with a vase of flowers. It was at this point that Barbara's sight was failing - in light of this, Blackman's portraits of her become contemplative and demonstrate an extreme sensitivity to the human condition. Likely painted almost 20 years later, Seated Nude with Flowers contains the same elements as these earlier works and a reinforced sense of intimate reflection as the figure and flowers peacefully float in a dreamlike composition, likely the sitter's own inner world.

Marcella Fox / Sydney Manager


© Charles Blackman/Copyright Agency, 2022