Drawing by Austin Osman Spare (1886-1956) depicting a female nude, seated on a bed with her legs curled up to her right. Great Britain, 1922.

Drawing in coloured chalks on paper of a female nude, seated on a bed with her legs curled up to her right. Signed and dated "AOS '22".

The Lumsden Collection

This drawing (E.27-1997) was acquired as part of a gift of 10 drawings (E.25-34-1997). These were acquired in the belief that all 10 were by Philip Connard (1875-1958). E.25 and 26-1997 are by Philip Connard. This drawing and museum numbers E.28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34-1997 are in fact by Austin Osman Spare. All 10 were part of a larger collection belonging to Dr. T.W. Lumsden who worked as a critic on local papers in Chelsea before the 1st World War and who acquired many drawings directly from the artists.

By his will Dr Lumsden left his collection of pictures to his second wife for her life. They were then to be offered to the Museum. Mrs Lumsden died on 6th October 1995. E.25-34-1997 were selected by the Museum from the larger collection, held at that time by the grandson of Dr Lumsden and his first wife (divorced 1922), Mr Richard Bourdon-Smith.
NB. Material from the Lumsden estate was sold by Bearne’s Ltd., Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, Rainbow, Avenue Road, Torquay, Devon TQ2 5TG on Wednesday 4th September, 1991.

E.27-1997