Sir John Lavery R.A., R.S.A., R.H.A. (1856-1941)
Arab gathering
signed and dated 'J. Lavery 92' (lower right)
oil on panel
12.9 x 21.6 cm. (5 1/8 x 8 1/2 in.)
Footnotes:
Provenance
Private Collection, U.K.

In January 1891, Lavery first set sail for Tangier, Morocco. He was instantly captivated by its mystery and exoticism and would, of course, later establish a studio there. That first trip, however, was reconnaissance and he made multiple sketches of the souk and kasbah, the winding streets and gates of the old walled city, all in his inimitable impressionistic style. He also ascended to the roof of the Hotel Continental to capture an aerial view of the receding flat white roofs. The starkness of the buildings in Morocco and the contrast they made with the blue of the sky thanks to brilliant sunlight is an abiding feature of Lavery's Moroccan paintings.

The present work, painted en plein air, has all of the trademark spontaneity one would expect. Daubs of colour expertly applied represent tents, a bustling crowd, flowing robes and the city behind. This lively scene teams with activity, all set under a typically azure sky and the artist has used the bare wooden panel to his advantage, successfully giving an impression of the dry, sandy ground.

We are grateful to Professor Kenneth McConkey for his assistance in cataloguing this lot.