JOAN EARDLEY R.S.A. (SCOTTISH 1921-1963) §
ROW OF WINDOWS, TOWNHEAD
Estimate: £2,500 - £4,000
Scottish Paintings & Sculpture
Auction: Evening Sale | Lots 111- 206 | Thursday 05 June from 6pm
Description
Pastel and charcoal on three conjoined sheets
Dimensions
11cm x 25cm (4.25in x 9.75in)
Provenance
Given by Angus Neil (1924-92) to the mother of the present owners
Footnote
A key figure in Eardley’s life was the talented yet erratic Angus Neil (1924-92). A former soldier and joiner, Neil met Eardley during their studies at Hospitalfield in Arbroath in 1947. Eardley was drawn to Neil’s sense of humour and practicality. Across their long friendship, Neil would stay with her for protracted periods in her Townhead studio and Catterline cottage, painting alongside her and – helpfully - warding off unwanted attention during sketching excursions into more dangerous parts of the city. Eardley was also sensitive to his mental health struggles and tolerant of his sometimes challenging behaviour and violent outbursts. Like Sandeman, Neil would be a lifelong companion.
Neil was known to have struggled greatly after the loss of his stalwart friend Eardley to cancer, even being sectioned at one point in Montrose Psychiatric Hospital. He was dependent for a time on the charity and care of members of his circle, notably the artist Carole Gibbons, as well as the local medical community. Lyon & Turnbull are delighted to present to market select works from one of Eardley’s sketchbooks, gifted by Neil to a caring local doctor in Glasgow in the 1960s who gave him room and board during a breakdown. The sketchbook has been much treasured by descendants within the doctor’s family. It gives a wonderful insight into Eardley’s oeuvre, containing representations of virtually every subject one might associate with her: from studies of children to cityscapes and shorelines; all excellent examples of her astute observational skills and intuitive mark-making ability, as well as her astounding consistency of quality.