Duncan Grant, British 1885-1978 - Don (Paul Roche) & Girlfriend...

Duncan Grant,
British 1885-1978 -

Don (Paul Roche) & Girlfriend (Claire), 1952;

charcoal on paper, signed with initials lower right 'DG', dated and inscribed to the reverse 'April 1952, Don & Girlfriend (Clare)', 54.5 x 36.3 cm (ARR)

Provenance:
Christie's, London, 12th October 2010, lot 342 (part of lot);
Private Collection, UK

Note:
this study of a young couple is one of six works that appear to be related. The subject matter is unusual for Grant, however it may have been used as a study for an illustration of a poem.

The inscription on the back is Don's own handwriting. Don was the birthname of the writer and Classical translator Paul Roche (1916-2007), who was a partner and model of Grant from the late 1940s. He changed his name when he began writing.