Music Hall Characters

Artists

Dimensions

7.2 x 13.6 cm (2 13/16 x 5 3/8 in.)

Provenance

Probably Walter Sickert to his friend Arthur Clifton; his widow, Mrs. Arthur Clifton; [Agnews, London, No. 16955, taken on between December 1955 and January 1956] probably sold; to "David," his gift; to "Judy." (1) [Clive Farahar & Sophie Dupré, Calne, Wiltshire], sold; to Patricia Cornwell,25 September 2006, gift; to Harvard Art Museum, 2009 (1) The drawing was accompanied by letter on stationery from Thomas Agnew & Sons, Ltd, 43 Old Bond Street and 3 Albemarle Street, London: [ ]th Augu[ust] Dear Judy, Ever so long ago you asked me to let you know something of the history of the little drawings by Sickert which David gave you. They come from the Collection of a Mrs. Clifton. Her husband was an intimate friend of Sickert's and was probably one of the first Englishmen to appreciate his qualities as an artist. He acquired a great many pictures and drawings direct from the artist during their friendship, and I suspect that these little sketches were probably made by Sickert when he and Clifton visited Music Halls together. As you probably know, Sickert had a great love for Music Halls, and the artists who performed there, and he made many sketches and drawings of them. Clifton died some years ago, and we acquired the drawings direct from his widow. I think that they could hardly have a better history. [signature cut off]