Vanessa Bell (British, 1879-1961) Paul Roche Reading 24.2 x 29.8...

Vanessa Bell (British, 1879-1961)
Paul Roche Reading
signed with initials 'VB' (lower right)
charcoal and white chalk
24.2 x 29.8 cm. (9 1/2 x 11 3/4 in.)
Executed circa 1950
Provenance
The Artist's Estate
Paul Roche, thence by descent to
Martin Roche
With Louise Kosman, Edinburgh
With Aidan Meller, Oxford, 2017, where acquired by the present owner
Private Collection, U.K.

This work is inscribed and dated '1948' verso in Paul Roche's hand. This dating is presumed retrospective, and a year of execution c.1950 is more likely. The work is accompanied by a letter from the sitter's son Martin Roche, dated 26 January 2017, confirming the provenance.

We are grateful to Richard Shone for his assistance in cataloguing this lot.