Ceri Richards CBE, Welsh 1903–1971 - No.11 Rape of the Sabines Theme, 1946; ink and watercolour on paper, signed and dated lower right, 17.5 x 24.5 cm (ARR) Provenance: Gillian Jason Gallery, London; Seward Kennedy; Christie's South Kensington...

Ceri Richards CBE, Welsh 1903–1971 - No.11 Rape of the Sabines Theme, 1946; ink and watercolour on paper, signed and dated lower right, 17.5 x 24.5 cm (ARR) Provenance: Gillian Jason Gallery, London; Seward Kennedy; Christie's South Kensington, 22nd November 2016, lot 187 Note: The present work was created just after the end of the Second World War and was part of an important series of works Richards made on the Roman legend, relating to themes of life, death and renewal. Richards was inspired simultaneously by the sensuality of Peter Paul Rubans and the colour and energy of Henri Matisse, demonstrating his versatility in playing with past and present. Other works from the series are now in museum collections including the Tate, Pallant House and Birmingham City Art Gallery. This work previously belonged to the lawyer Seward Kennedy who amassed an extraordinary ‘cabinet of curiosities’ over six decades including pieces by Dame Lucie Rie, Prunella Clough and Henri Gaudier-Brzeska.