SOLD


Horace Mann Livens:
The Artists Dog with Fowl, circa 1900
Unmounted (ref: 1805)
Colour chalk on buff paper, 6 1/2 x 6 3/4 in. (16.5 x 17.2 cm.)

Tags: Horace Mann Livens chalk

Provenance: with the artist's widow until 1957; Robert J. Smith, 1959

Livens referred to himself as a 'painter of poultry', titling his etched self-portrait of 1905 'The Old Fowler'. In his depiction of fowl he was greatly influenced by Japanese prints and paintings with ' their suggestion of space, as well as exquisite colour, being a constant guide' (letter to Wedmore, quoted Belgrave Gallery, Horace Mann Livens, 1978, p. 7). According to his Times obituary, Livens, 'who once enjoyed a singular reputation. did not, like the late Joseph Crawhall, subject his cocks and hens to the discipline of style, but painted them more or less naturalistically. with special attention to their response to the effects of light and atmosphere.'

This drawing is similar to, and shares the same provenance as, a pastel drawing of the artist's daughter in the collection of the Tate (presented by Robert J. Smith in 1960).

It is curious that although Livens regularly exhibited oils and watercolours he rarely showed his pastels. They count amongst his most distinctive work, especially in his bold use of colour. In 1886 Van Gogh wrote to Livens: 'Since I am here in Paris I have very often thought of yourself and work. You will remember that I liked your colour, your ideas on art and literature and I add, most of all your personality .... I felt sure at the time that you are a thorough colourist and since I saw the impressionists I assure you that neither your colour nor mine, as it is developing itself, is exactly the same as their theories.'