Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Nice book in great condition. Pages in excellent condition. Images are beautiful bright and vivid. No notes or highlighting. See images. Fantastic book.

About the book >.>.> In 1928 Augustus John described Matthew Smith as one of the most brilliant and individual figures in modern English painting’. At the time of Smith’s death in 1959 David Piper referred to his ‘intuitive and sensuous understanding of his material that was rivalled among British artists only by that of Epstein in clay’. The Corporation of London is privileged to have in its care the largest collection of Smith’s work consisting of over one thousand paintings drawings watercolours pastels and sketchbooks. They were presented in 1974 by Mary Keene his heir who had met Smith in 1941 and was the subject of many of his paintings during their long and close friendship. When Mrs Keene wrote to my predecessor in December 1973 to clarify her intentions in making this singularly generous gift she referred to the need for a permanent and public record of this important artist. The Corporation intended to include an Art Gallery in its proposed Barbican Centre and Mrs Keene felt that it would be a most appropriate architectural setting for Smith’s paintings. Sadly she did not live to see this come to fruition as she died the year before the Gallery opened in 1982. Barbican Art Gallery’s policy is to present a programme of large temporary exhibitions and in 1983 it was the venue for a major Matthew Smith exhibition. It remains important to respect Mary Keene’s wishes and to draw attention to the Collection and part of the Gallery is thus permanently devoted to Matthew Smith giving visitors an opportunity to enjoy a regularly changed selection of his work. (MP)