Mary Potter, (British, 1900-1981)

Yellow Dressing Gown

Yellow Dressing Gown
signed and dated 'Mary Potter/'77' (on canvas verso)
oil on canvas
76 x 81cm (29 15/16 x 31 7/8in).

Provenance
Acquired by the present owner in 1978
Private Collection, U.K.

Exhibited
London, Serpentine Gallery, Arts Council of Great Britain, Mary Potter: Paintings 1922-80, 23 May-28 June 1981, no. 80

The present lot was inspired by the bedroom the Artist stayed in when visiting Saltwood Castle, Kent, the home of Kenneth Clark. Clark, the influential art historian, museum director and presenter of the famed Civilisation series, was an important influence on the Artist. He wrote of her paintings as existing in 'the domain of seeing and feeling; we know that they are exactly right in the same way that we know a singer to be perfectly in tune', going on to describe them as 'enchanting moments of heightened perception' (K. Clark, Mary Potter Paintings 1938–1964, exh. cat., Whitechapel Art Gallery, London, 1965).