Lot 155
JOHN DUNCAN FERGUSSON R.B.A. (SCOTTISH 1874-1961) §
SUNBATHER, CHÂTEAU DES ENFANTS, EDEN ROC, CAP D'ANTIBES (MARGARET MORRIS)
Estimate: £4,000 - £6,000
Scottish Paintings & Sculpture
Auction: Evening Sale | Lots 103-196 | Thursday 05 December from 6pm
Description
Watercolour
Dimensions
19cm x 24cm (7.5in x 9.5in)
Provenance
Margaret Morris;
Christie's Edinburgh, The Scottish Sale 1st November 2001, lot 100;
Private Collection, Scotland.
Footnote
John Duncan Fergusson moved from Paris to Antibes, in the south of France, in 1913. Thus began an association with the area which was to last for the rest of his life. Shortly afterwards he wrote to his future wife, the dance pioneer Margaret Morris, excitedly explaining: ‘I’ve taken a little villa at Antibes..I went over the coast as far as Italy and this is the best there is for the money…[it]…faces the sun all day. Small garden which I’ll make quite good…the sea at the bottom of the road…There’s a little port for boats…and 10 minutes away…a fine sand beach with pine trees.’ (as quoted in Margaret Morris, The Art of J. D. Fergusson, J. D. Fergusson Art Foundation, Perth, 2010, pp.68-69)
Morris visited Fergusson in this idyllic setting during the summer of 1914, but her stay was cut short by the outbreak of World War One. From 1917, she developed her renowned Summer Schools, which were held in Antibes on multiple occasions from 1923. As can be seen in the works presented here, ‘she and her pupils dancing outdoors, sunbathing and swimming in the sea inspired Fergusson to make numerous sketches and watercolours, which he later worked up into paintings in his studio, exemplifying the couple’s creative collaboration.’ (Alice Strang et al, J. D. Fergusson, National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh, 2013, p.22).
Whilst in the south of France, Fergusson and Morris led an active outdoor lifestyle, believing in the health benefits of the sun, exercise and good company. The Summer School was repeatedly held in the grounds of the Chateau des Enfants, the villa built by the couple’s patron, George Davison. Morris recalled ’The château woods ran to a bay facing due south, with cliffs of jagged rocks about twelve feet high and water about fifteen feet deep…Everyone bathed off the rocks and afterwards sun-bathed…When they got too hot, they dived into the sea again. Fergus got much inspiration.’ (Margaret Morris, op.cit., p.140).
Such carefree moments are captured in works such as Drying off after a Swim, Sunbather, Chateau des Enfants (Margaret Morris) and Pink and Blue in which Fergusson worshipped at the altar of the body beautiful, working in charcoal and watercolour. The couple and their companions became synonymous with the natural beauty and leisure pursuits which have made Antibes and its surroundings amongst the most desirable holiday locations to this day.
Fergusson continued to extoll the virtues of the area, which saw him and Morris return year after year until a final visit in the summer of 1960. He wrote ‘You can walk round the island; go to the town which is very interesting; bathe off the rocks or on the sand beach; lie among the pine trees and watch the sea – looking over at Nice, Menton with the Alps behind; sit in the sun in the garden; go to Nice or Cannes and see chic people…walk to dozens of places or take the air; go up mountains….really, what more do you want? (as quoted in Morris, op.cit., p.69)
