This mesmerising, highly finished and vividly coloured portrait drawing is by the leading master of early British modernism, Percy Wyndham Lewis.

Its angular and facetted construction stems from his allegiance to Cubism and Vorticism (of which he was a founder) and its spare linearity the influence of Matisse, Léger and Modigliani. The sitter is notable for the intensity of her gaze, flamboyant turban and sinuously clasped hands.

Provenance

Reid Gallery,1960; Agnew's, 1960; Benjamin Sonnenberg; Christie's, New York', 2006; Agnew's.


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